Comments for Clise Etiquette

Comment on Too much information by LauraC

LauraC — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:57:56 +0000

I think I must have the same handy man! He never picks up on the uncomfortable silences, the lack of conversation from me (just fillers) and just keeps rattling on. My husband normally just wanders off to leave me ‘chatting’.

Comment on Are your emails getting read? by LauraC

LauraC — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:40:15 +0000

Some good pointers in there. I try and keep my emails short, subject lines relevant and send only to the relevant people. That and I use the phone a lot.

Comment on Are we teaching children to be disrespectful? by ArdenClise

ArdenClise — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:00:24 +0000

Erika, I’ve heard from other people that their teacher has her students call her Miss and her first name. I can live with that. It’s at least got an honorific before the name. But, I agree, teach them how to pronounce the name and have them call you by your last name.

Thanks for piping in. I hope all is well.

Comment on Are we teaching children to be disrespectful? by Erika Spooner

Erika Spooner — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:27:35 +0000

My kids were asked to call their preschool teachers Miss [first name]. I think the explanation that was given to me was that it was easier for them to say. I guess I can see it with really young kids but I think once they start school, they are perfectly capable of using last names.

Comment on A costly email mistake by ArdenClise

ArdenClise — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:03:08 +0000

@BethBuelow

Yes, it usually only takes making this blunder once to remember not to do it again.

I agree with you that the situation does depend on how you feel about the business. In my case, I have had positive experiences with the doctor and I know the person who sent the email probably didn’t know she had goofed until it was too late. So, I politely emailed her and said I was sorry someone had chosen to send a nasty email to the list and that next time she has to send an email to a group I suggested she use the BCC field.

It’s unfortunate it was a HIPAA violation. They actually sent another email, this one with the addresses hidden and apologized for the mistake. I’m sure they are mortified.

Comment on A costly email mistake by BethBuelow

BethBuelow — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:04:46 +0000

Eeek!! What a blunder. I can think of one time when I accidentally put e-mails in the “To” rather than “Bcc” field, and it was to my current clients. While I didn’t violate any laws or rouse anyone’s ire, I felt cruddy, because I have a policy of keeping my client names confidential (if an individual client wants to say, “Beth is my coach,” that’s fine… I just can’t say “Jane is my client.”). You can bet, it only took that one time for me to remember to never do it again! If I’d been on the receiving end of the e-mail you describe here, I’m not sure what I’d do. I want to say “it depends,” but that’s allowing for lots of gray area where maybe there shouldn’t be any (HIPAA’s pretty clear, after all). For me personally: If everything else was fine, I wouldn’t want the person who hit “send” to get into big trouble; if I was otherwise displeased with the doc’s services, I’d use it as the final straw to start looking elsewhere for health care.

Comment on Are we teaching children to be disrespectful? by ArdenClise

ArdenClise — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:25:05 +0000

@andreaballard

I’m not surprised that the South is more formal and expects children to use a formal address. But, it really surprises me West coast adults are so uncomfortable with a formal address and I’m especially dismayed they are so rude to your daughter in response. Wow. I wonder why we got so casual in the West.

Very true that an adult who acts like a grown up will garner more respect than one who is immature or trying to be one of the kids.

Thanks for commenting. Lots of food for thought.

Comment on Are we teaching children to be disrespectful? by andreaballard

andreaballard — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:31:30 +0000

Hi Arden, I definitely think this is a regional issue. When we go to visit my relatives down South, everyone insists on Mrs/Mr, Yes Ma’am and No Sir. When my daughter uses those terms of address in Seattle, some adults are downright rude back to her – “Don’t call me that!” “Mrs. Smith is my mother,” “You make me feel so old when you call me Ma’am,” and other comments along those lines. It’s confusing to her and even more so to me.

I think the connection between formality in respect in the eyes of the child has more to do with the person being a ‘grown up’ and less to do with the title they use.

Interesting thoughts!

Comment on Are we teaching children to be disrespectful? by ArdenClise

ArdenClise — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:11:32 +0000

Hi ConfidentCookin, I do think this is something that is practiced more on the West coast. The West tends to be more informal and relaxed. I’m not really sure of the reason teachers and other adults want children to call them by their first name. Perhaps it has to do with wanting to be more modern, more progressive. I’d love to hear from a teacher or parent who prefers children address them by their first name.

Thanks for commenting.

Comment on Are we teaching children to be disrespectful? by ConfidentCookin

ConfidentCookin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:49:45 +0000

Interesting article. I completely get what you are saying, but I think young teachers don’t want to be Mr/Ms. X…makes them feel old or insecure. Do you think this is just in Seattle or all over the country?