The Prevalence of Impoliteness on the Web: A Perspective from "Miss Manners"

The Disappearance of Digital Decorum

The internet, for all its benefits, has also given rise to a disturbing trend of rudeness and disrespect. The anonymity and distance provided by the digital world seem to have led some individuals to believe that they can abandon all pretense of politeness. This is evident in the countless instances of name-calling, shouting in ALL CAPS, and other forms of online incivility that are all too common today.

This lack of online etiquette can be attributed to the sense of invisibility that comes with sitting behind a keyboard. It's unlikely that these individuals would behave in the same manner in face-to-face interactions. The digital age seems to have led us to discard everyday courtesy, with the concepts of "please" and "thank you" becoming increasingly rare.

The "Golden Rule" of treating others as you would like to be treated seems to have been forgotten in the digital realm. Before resorting to name-calling, swearing, or other forms of online aggression, it's important to pause and consider the impact of your actions. Remember, there's a real person with feelings on the other end of that email address or website.

Top 10 Guidelines for Online Etiquette

To help foster a more respectful online environment, here are the top 10 do's and don'ts for online communication:

• Avoid replying in all caps, as it's equivalent to shouting.
• If you're having trouble unsubscribing from a newsletter, politely ask the publisher to remove you instead of resorting to threats or spam reports.
• Aim to reply to all your emails within 48 hours to avoid giving the impression that you're ignoring the sender.
• If you publish a newsletter, include subscription and unsubscription instructions in every issue.
• Refrain from using foul language in emails. If you're upset, clearly state the problem and suggest a resolution.
• If you don't like a website, don't send a nasty email to the owner. Remember the old adage, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."
• Ensure every page of your website has a contact email address. Don't make visitors fill out lengthy forms for simple inquiries.
• When replying to an email, keep the original message intact for context.
• If you're buying or selling products/services online, use an online payment service like PayPal for quick transactions.
• Pay your bills promptly. Don't make someone send multiple reminders about overdue payments.

By incorporating these guidelines into your daily online interactions, you can help make the internet a more respectful and friendly place. Remember, we're all human beings behind our screens. Let's treat each other with kindness and respect, just as we would in person.