RON’S WISDOM SALON: A fictional advice column

Dear Ron,

What is the etiquette when someone sends you an e-mail to congratulate you on some accomplishment. I get so many of them that I hardly have the time to reply. Is it a mortal sin not to do so.  Thank you in advance for your reply.

Sally Watson

Dear Sally,

What do you think? When someone compliments you on anything in life, it is only natural to thank the person who gives it. That exchange goes together like milk and cookies. Why wouldn’t it also apply to an e-mail? When someone compliments me I always compliment them back.

For instance, when someone tells me how great my advice is, I will usually counter with something like, “Why, thank you. And I think you have good posture.” Or I will point out that they too could give advice and that they only need to get a good typewriter.

I think that you should answer each and every e-mail you receive, otherwise people might think that you have passed away and start sending flowers to your house. You say you don’t have time. I bet you have time to powder your cheeks in the morning. It hardly takes longer to write an e-mail.  Don’t be lazy. Lazy people end up in a very warm place in the afterlife. Good luck and get busy.