A
Suppose you’re in a rush, feeling tired, not paying attention to your screen, and you send an email that could get you in trouble.
Realization will probably set in seconds after you’ve clicked “send”. You freeze in horrors and burn with shame.
What to do? Here are four common email accidents, and how to recover.
Clicking “send” too soon
Don’t waste your time trying to find out if the receivers have read it yet. Write another email as swiftly as you can and send it with a brief explaining that this is the correct version and the previous version should be ignored.
Writing the wrong name
The sooner you notice, the better. Respond quickly and briefly, apologizing for your mistake. Keep the tone measured: don’t handle it too lightly, as people can be offended, especially if your error suggests a misunderstanding of their culture.
Clicking “reply all” unintentionally
You accidentally reveal to entire company what menu choices you would prefer at the staff Christmas dinner, or what holiday you’d like to take. In this instance, the best solution is to send a quick, light-hearted apology to explain your awkwardness. But it can quickly rise to something worse, when everyone starts hitting “reply all” to join in a long and unpleasant conversation. In this instance, step away from your keyboard to allow everyone to calm down.
Sending an offensive message to its subject
The most awkward email mistake is usually committed in anger. You write an unkind message about someone, intending to send it to a friend, but accidentally send it to the person you’re discussing. In that case, ask to speak in person as soon as possible and say sorry. Explain your frustrations calmly and sensibly—see it as an opportunity to hear up any difficulties you may have with this person.
21. After realizing an email accident, you are likely to feel _______.
A. curious B. tired C. awful D. funny
22. If you have written the wrong name in an email, it is best to ________.
A. apologies in a serious manner B. tell the receiver to ignore the error
C. learn to write the name correctly D. send a short notice to everyone
23. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Defining email errors. B. Handling email accidents.
C. Reducing email mistakes. D. Improving email writing.
