Most of my clients are busy attorneys. They are nice people, but they are busy. We are all polite, but WE ARE ALL BUSY.

If we were talking in person, on the phone, or while using Zoom during an online mediation or meeting, then saying hello, thank you, and other friendly exchanges would be fine. We could end it naturally enough and move on to the next task on our list. No need to say "EOC", which means "end of chain", which translates into "stop sending me email replies because you are taking up my time and I'm a busy attorney with a gazillion more of these emails besides what I have on my desk, in my voice mail and out in my yard!!"

We have a natural tendency to be responsive, polite and (fill in the blank with whatever it is you think you are accomplishing by hitting send). We also have a natural tendency to react to the "call to action" when the notification sounds the alarm that a very important email has arrived and the sender desperately awaits your immediate response. We also have a natural tendency to feel annoyed when the email is not important, but rather a message from a person who wanted to be responsive, polite, or whatever else it is you used to fill in the blank.

That email broke someone's concentration, interrupted their train of thought, or took up some precious time. We all understand it, and probably engage in the same annoying, yet well meaning, behavior. We are all still tired of it and want to reply… EOC.

Hitting send is too easy. Reading what was sent isn't easy at all. So before you hit send on your very polite reply ask yourself this question: Would I send this in a letter?

If you wouldn't take the time to write it on a piece of paper, fold the paper, stick it in the envelope, address the envelope, put a stamp on the envelope, take it to the mail box and raise the little red flag after placing the envelope in the box...... then please don't hit send. Restrain yourself. Soon saving the other person's time will be your natural tendency. Their natural tendency of gratitude will already be there.

EOC

Elliot Herland
May 16, 2020