The Workday Reading: June 5, 2015
Jun 5, 2015
***
1) Hill Staff: Your new interns have arrived, and they are on social media. Unless you want your constituents to see pictures of putting practice in the office, it might be time for a chat about the intersection of politics and life online. Just because Snapchat deletes after a few seconds doesn’t mean a reporter can’t publish a screen capture.
2) H&M has a few cute pieces on offer. I like this butterfly-sleeve dress and this feather-printed top. But this short-sleeve, ivory dress is the best thing in the store.
3) You’re ending your e-mails wrong. Why ‘Best’ is really the worst.
4) Kate Spade is usually a little cute for me, but I love some of their skirts for summer. This spotted skirt could be styled in a myriad of ways, and this blush and black, pleated skirt is a classic.
5) The Cut saves your wallet a lot of abuse by explaining how to get through “wedding season” with just one dress. Yes, it can be done!
6) This BCBGeneration bracelet is minimalist awesomeness.
7) Vanity Fair discusses the history of one of the world’s most famous paintings, Flaming June by Frederic Leighton. If you live in New York City, it goes on display this month at the Frick Collection.
8) Gap has some lovely, casual dresses right now. I love this white, v-neck dress. And the laser-cut accent on this black dress is nice.
9) 21 Relationship Last Straws. Sometimes, the reasons people break-up make sense only to them.
10) I got a big kick out of this graphic tee from ILY.
*image found here.
That ivory h&m dress is to die for!! I’ve never ordered anything from them online because their sizing is so inconsistent, but I hope to run into this in store soon.
The “best” article is interesting, but I am not sure that I agree with their recommendation to end with nothing. I think some offices might take pause with no salutation. Does anyone have thoughts on an appropriate alternative?
I use Thanks and see no problem with it even though they say you may be using it when no thanks is necessary. I’m not sending an email to talk about the weather, I’m asking for information, data or action so in most cases for me it is the most appropriate.
Also, I don’t think I’ve ever judged someone by what their sign off was, hopefully I’m afforded the same courtesy by others.
We used to make fun of our chief for always ending even the most snippy, condescending emails with “Warm regards.” But no, generally I don’t judge someone on their sign-off unless it’s one of those weird hippy, trying to be profound or poetic, sign-offs. I also judge people who include poems in their signature block. Not cool.
I don’t think closing with no salutation is going to fly at my office either, or with some of my clients. I work in a pretty tradition environment, and I write a lot of serious emails where I’m giving people an answer they don’t want to hear, I don’t think “Thanks!” Is going to work. I thought “best” or “regards” were my best option. I don’t have any other ideas, does anyone else?
We used to joke about closing really uncomfortable emails with “love.” “Your invoice is 180 days past due. If we do not receive payment within 14 days we will be forced to terminate our services. Love, Mary”
In my federal office with r/first name or just signing with first name for more informal emails or just is the custom. Vr for very respectfully is common for emails sent from a junior to senior person.
It’s not uncommon for a senior military officer to sign with first name or initials.
I recently started using “Best regards.” It seemed like a good compromise between “Thanks” or “Thank you” (which can sound either presumptuous or too formal, respectively—unless you are actually thanking someone for something) and “Best.” If I know my email is going to spark a series of replies, I tend to use a sign off with the first message but then not with the follow-up emails until I’ve sent my last reply.
I’m not sure that reporter is someone I’d be eager to take etiquette advice from, though. She seemed a little, ah, lacking in the personality department, which may explain her preference for not using a sign-off.
I think that quote is a double edged sword. While I get that no one likes a show off and it can definitely backfire, thinking that your success speaks for itself can be risky. Too many women think that or don’t want to be braggy, but their success does in fact go unnoticed. We have to be our own spokesperson and our strongest advocate.