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Be Careful of What You Say in E-Mail and How You Interpret Other's E-Mails

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You know how easily e-mails can be misinterpreted, but you may not understand why. Chalk it up to egocentricity, according to a new report.

Since people tend to be egocentric -- that is to say, they assume others experience things the same way they do -- they may make the assumption that what they write will be interpreted exactly as they meant it.

But one thing an e-mail can't do well at all is convey emotions. You may have a good relationship with a co-worker, but without the physical, verbal and emotional cues that come from a face-to-face conversation -- tone of voice or facial expressions -- the real intent of the message can get mangled and misinterpreted.

 

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

A recent study showed that your chances are no better than 50-50 of having your e-mail interpreted correctly, although most people believe that they are conveying their message clearly 80 percent of the time.

Perhaps, the best way to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and confrontations -- especially when the ongoing written conversation gets heated -- would be to take a short empathy break to get some perspective.

Two other great ways to avoid conflicts that unintentionally occur while passing e-mails back and forth:

1.  Pick up the phone and call the person if you believe the intent of your e-mail message may get lost in translation.

2.  Give that e-mail a quick read first to ensure it conveys your intentions properly.


* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

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