Read it , Re-Read it, then read it again.

In email and any written communication it is always best to re-read, carefully before clicking the send button. So much of communication is beyond the words themselves. The subtle tones and emphasis that we place in a single sentence can change the entire meaning of a communication. Say the following sentences with the emphasizing the different bold words with a verbal inflection... The sublte meaning change is very hard to communicate via email only.

I didn't take the ice cream.

I didn't take the ice cream.

I didn't take the ice cream.

I didn't take the ice cream. This is less of a concern with a "how's the weather" type of email ... but is of much more of a concern when sending a sensitive business or personal email. I have a friend who commonly writes a business letter, waits a day, and re-reads before sending. On some letters, I have asked a spouse or family member to read something for their interpretation of what something 'sounds' like to them. Notice I wrote 'sounds' like. even though the words on the page don't really make a sound, each individual reads words with their own 'voice in their head' which applies their own interpretation of what the audible inflections would be. Hence the space for miscommunication and misunderstanding. How something feels to someone has a powerful effect on the results of the communication. Do you feel like cooperating, or going 'above and beyond' for someone who has been rude to you? Or "snooty", as my wife likes to say. Usually not. Yet when someone comes across as 'sweet' or genuine, including a simple appreciation or acknowledgement, we tend to want to respond back in like manner... Even go out of our way to accommodate. We live in a high tech world of communication... but sometimes an old fashioned, low tech phone call or face to face meeting is the way to go.