| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 899.1 | Often works for me ... | ULYSSE::WADE | | Wed Jul 03 1991 17:56 | 15 |
| I use the following formula in such cases ....
1 Ask them (as you do) "Please do <whatever> ..."
^^^^^^
2 State why their action is needed and the reason
for any deadline
3 Suggest they call/mail me if anything is unclear
or they need help
4 End with just `Thanks'
Works every time. What did you say? Well, not *every* time :-)
Jim
|
| 899.2 | | SMURF::CALIPH::binder | Simplicitas gratia simplicitatis | Wed Jul 03 1991 19:59 | 12 |
| I've always considered "thanks in advance" poor form. In my opinion it
is semantically meaningless; since you have actually received nothing
and cannot count on receipt, it is in effect thanking the reader for
nothing. What makes it worse is that it implies to me a certain degree
of guilt imposition: "I've thanked you for doing something for me, so
now you'll feel terribly guilty if you fail to do it."
I always end formal letters of request with "Thank you for your
consideration in this matter." This phrasing is fair because the reader
has in fact given your letter enough consideration to read it.
-d
|
| 899.3 | | JIT081::DIAMOND | This note is illegal tender. | Thu Jul 04 1991 03:19 | 13 |
| I have often used "Thank you for your understanding," which is close
enough to "... consideration."
If you have the right to demand the reader's attention, and want to
make a point of it, you can say "Thank you for your prompt attention,"
and not have to point out that it is in advance. However, if you are
merely begging for a favor and don't have the right, then this wording
would probably be offensive.
(I understand that in Japanese, to say "thank you" in a request, in any
form, in advance is offensive; you have to say "I beg you.")
-- Norman Diamond
|
| 899.4 | Just one person's view | STAR::CANTOR | IM2BZ2P | Thu Jul 04 1991 05:54 | 10 |
| I've always been offended by people thanking me for doing something I
haven't yet done, when, in fact, they are asking me to do it, and I
haven't yet agreed. (If I've agreed, then I don't get offended by
thanks.) I perceive thanks in advance as someone trying to coerce me,
rather than just ask me. I prefer to be just asked, or just ordered.
If ordered, I *really* get offended by being thanked.
Overpoliteness is overbearing.
Dave C.
|
| 899.5 | It's a matter of personal preference... | PAOIS::HILL | Another migrant worker! | Thu Jul 04 1991 12:17 | 27 |
| Which probably doesn't help you much!
My preferences when recieving a request like this are:
1 Start with a 'Please...'
If you're asking me to do something which is difficult, time
consuming, dangerous or whatever, the 'Please' at the end is very
weak.
2 Use 'Please will you...'
If you start a tricky one with 'Please can you....' then my
perverse mental reaction is 'I can, but I won't'. This mayy even
be re-engineered and put into my response.
3 Tell me why.
Describe the situation for me and lead me with you to the
inevitable conclusion that I will do it for you.
4 Thank me for my time.
If the task is really onerous I may think it just too
presumptuous to be thanked for doing it before I've agreed.
Nick
|
| 899.6 | another problem | SHALOT::ANDERSON | Not Sold in Stores | Mon Jul 08 1991 23:17 | 9 |
| This particular phrase grates on my ears for another reason ...
It has nothing to do with the meaning of the phrase, but rather
with its boilerplate (i.e., cliche) flavor. I don't even think
I process this phrase -- it's just padding like "should you have
any further questions, do not hesitate to give me a call," "I
look forward to hearing from you," etc., etc. My suggestion
would be to just say what you want in a sincere, lucid manner.
-- C
|
| 899.7 | | I18N::SZETO | Simon Szeto, International Sys. Eng. | Fri Aug 16 1991 06:09 | 5 |
| "Thanks in advance" is not one of my favorites, but what really
irritates me is seeing it written as "advTHANKSance."
--Simon
|
| 899.8 | | JIT081::DIAMOND | Order temporarily out of personal name | Mon Aug 19 1991 03:39 | 4 |
| >what really irritates me is seeing it written as "advTHANKSance."
Well, I think that pun is a bit childish. But if the pun really
irritates you, how can you stand reading this conference??????
|
| 899.9 | hunh? | PENUTS::DDESMAISONS | | Tue Aug 20 1991 17:53 | 13 |
|
>>what really irritates me is seeing it written as "advTHANKSance."
>> Well, I think that pun is a bit childish. But if the pun really
>> irritates you, how can you stand reading this conference??????
Simon, I'm with you. I find that one particularly irritating
too. It has no bearing on whether or not I can stand reading
this conference, by the way.
Diane
|