The former is what you usually say when you make yourself known to somebody. But saying recieved, or acknowledged seems cold and robotic and something like Got it! would work except that I dont want them to think Ive literally gotten the package. The only times it does, its not because of the phrase, its because of the person using the phrase. as a manager, should I not wear a childless shirt in my off-hours? He told me it was standard while he was in the military. Currently leaning toward Option 2 or Option 4. I require has a very different feel to me from I need I require implies that dang it, I need this and you better give it to me. No need to be weirdly deferential. Its my way of succinctly saying Listen up, you pompous twit this is the fifth and last time Im going to respond to something that you were supposed to handle three weeks ago. Me: OK, Ill pick some and have a draft for you to review next week. Battle #1: people who reply all to large groups with Please remove me from this email list It took over half the year for the nun to catch on to what all those little slashes in the corners of our papers meant. To me, the worst is when I just get an email or text that says call me without any further context whatsoever. if you so desire. There is no cost to keep your TextRanch account, and we store all of your past revisions in a secure and private manner. 4. Thanks!. Time. I use it most with people that are either above me or that I dont really know so Im erring on the side of reverential language. TextRanch lets you have your English corrected by native-speaking editors in just a few minutes. OMG yes please do the needful makes me stabby. On the other side, is the writer genuinely seeking information or help? This drove me up the wall because she frequently appended it to requests that were not the recipients responsibility or anything theyd agreed to do. Please advise doesnt phase me a bit, although I usually go for please clarify or please let me know your thoughts. Please let me know. Its the reminders that I *still* cant seem to figure out and loathe doing. No. Could you at least answer me so I know the Chicago office has not been wiped out in a zombie apocalypse or other natural disaster? would not have gone over well. Why am I having to ask you for the same thing multiple times??! As if Im a) too stupid to understand her and b) need to be asked or apparently I would have otherwise not said anything if I didnt understand??? Please let me know which date and time would suits you best is the most popular phrase on the web. Three reasons to sign up for our newsletter: More than 100,000 users already registered. Friday, 1/28: 10am - 12pm EST; 2pm - 4pm EST. And Id hope that someone would cut me some slack should I unknowingly pick the wrong set of words. Please advise if you require further information. I realize that it sounds more formal than please let me know.. Its fine that you personally dont like it, but its not passive aggressive and I am not sure where you get the impression that it almost always is. It was impossible not to notice. There are situations where someone under you (general you) genuinely does not have the information to make a plan of action. Yes, I suppose thats more out of concern for your schedule. ****ATTENTION: These bases have minor defects and are sold as is. whether you prefer. So we just print single-sided for them. Trust me, you cannot stop people from asking! I also find that, when replying all, it helps to specifically address the people who need to take some sort of action or provide an answer. Did you get the memo? I use Please Advise as a last ditch effort to obtain a response from a decision maker in my companys corporate office. I think it sounds a little formal, but not offensive, so this letter surprises me a bit. I just went around her because it was quicker and easier. and the comments from the editors", My editor understood my intention and gave me a good advice !! I had a calculus teacher who said a combination of the words so um ok yeah every few sentences. I think Ive probably written Thanks so much in advance too but more when its part of a longer exchange where the other person has already suggested the thing Im now saying Yes, please do that to, not just cold. But people tend to not like such things. I guess I could take the time to type out Would you like me to continue doing this in the future? Get your English checked! and the result is so good!! For awhile, I used Ten-four! with another manager as kind of a joke to let her know I got a message, but it doesnt really work with everyone. Please advise is one of a handful of conventions I use to (hopefully) make my emails easier to read, especially if it is necessary to include a lot of detail in the body: Subject line that indicates what the recipient should do with the email FYI, Action required, Question about chocolate teapot spout training, Advice on incorporating milk chocolate in redesigned teapots, etc. As in, Attached is the xyz report. TBC, I only use that when Im really looking for general thoughts, and dont necessarily have a specific question. Hell routinely ask me to send external invites for him, then 5 minutes later follow up with something like Has Bob accepted yet? This cracks me up, just like TY. On the scale of things that bother me about emails, this is way, way down the list (and honestly I hadnt even given it specific thought until I saw this post), but I dont really like it. If we didn't meet your expectations, we'd really like to know more. We have enjoyed serving you for the past five years. Well, often the reminder (friendly, gentle, otherwise) is for something totally annoying and bureaucratic, which no one wants to deal with, which is why they didnt respond in the first place. its definitely as bad or worse than gentle reminder in my book. Sometimes on emails its unclear whether its just an FYI or something I need a response on. On can ask questions in an email and never get a reply, so I make sure they realize I expect a reply. The recipient is dealing with a quality crisis related to last months collector teapot and all other work has been postponed until early next week. Ugh, I cried once at work and ever since, my manager always sends me gentle reminders whenever I make an error. When you ask the question, it gives people a chance to decide if they want to know more, or not. But dont you need to reply all with a request to be removed from a group email? Although Please advise can seem a bit blunt on its own, like most things it does depend on context and culture. I think I agree with the letter writer on this one. Ive also been using it fairly often as well. And with current technology, this is pretty easy to do. My boss does that same thing, but she puts the most random words in all caps, and puts everything on an individual line. Same as something like, what can we do about this? It can be a genuine question or it can be a thinly veiled way of saying I would like you to tell me how to help you not do something like this again.. Running errands: I have to get the needful done. Plus I like telling people what to do. (Unlike a lot of other people, Im not particularly against jargon, because I speak it fluently and often!). I also use it infrequently. Not much different than clothing. Just hope that boss doesnt respond with yes. And nothing else. I dont think Ive ever written please advise or received an email that ended this way, so it surprised me that so many people have such strong opinions on it. The newbies stopped parking there, problem solved. It just seems more polite. managers. Simply state the query, such as. oh, thats a good clarifying point. There are just so many styles and approacheswithout tone, its really not worth getting upset over. I said yes, we do have a parking procedure. Friendly reminder is bad too. Closing your account will prevent you from accessing your past revisions, and you will no longer be eligible for a FREE daily revision. Please advise. (if you wanted instant notification you could have sent it yourself!) As you read through them ask yourself two simple questions: 1. -All commissions are posted to my socials and my portfolio - if you would prefer it not to be, you must mention this before I submit the artwork to you. Can I help the next person in line? is much better. Is that better? Like. Or they are new and still learning the ropes? I heard sleeps used all the time in the US I think its a weird phrase. They tend to ping out emails on the hoof: Just heard that Wakeen has a problem with the Lid Committee. After some research, I have found that A and B are mutually exclusive and will cancel each other out if theyre implemented together. Get perfection for short pieces of text in just a few minutes. } else if (w.attachEvent) { But I cant figure out what to do! I also get please do the needful and gentle reminder. 3. (Hope this helps really means - now leave me alone [or something like that].) I agree that using it the opposite way irritates. It just hangs without a conclusion. EllieH Me too. In the same way: What do you like? Back-office folks are often out of touch with what client relationships mean. Which one do you prefer? Like the President will be here presently? Im not crazy about please adviseits a vague and strangely worded requestbut at least its a request! She did not understand what I was talking about. I always take the time to phrase my response as, I advise you to Actually, if any of my direct reports use it, I ask what they mean by it. Its directly asking for exactly what the writer wants, so its by definition not passive aggressive. If the e-mail is sent out to a distribution list (scenario Im envisioning) its hard to think of any circumstance where it would be appropriate to reply all. :). The rest of my team backed away slowly when the work landed on my lap.). Can you please answer one of the 4 emails or 2 voicemails on this topic? At times, I have described a situation and dont bother with Qs since I need advice on how to proceed (usually politically dangerous situations). (examples of why/how this will happen). my pet peeve is when people say please advice. They also might just be doing it out of habit, or because they learned it from someone more senior earlier in their careers. Can you please at least acknowledge that you are holding up a thing that the CEO asked for and we are STILL waiting on you?? On the other hand, if you want a laugh (and you don't mind a bit of obscene language), read ScaryDuck's post: A bit of email etiquette. My brain says this when reading it: You just asked me a question. Extra formatting can just come off as shouting. But if its just a heres a problem, what should I do? then my advice is that you should rewrite your email and come back to me when you have a plan of action. If kids notice this stuff, its going to be even more obvious to adults. In the nicest possible way, this made me smile because like is pretty common in the UK as well though mostly with younger people. A complete search of the internet has found these results: Please let me know which one you preferis the most popular phrase on the web. Need to go to the loo: Im just off to do the needful. I dont think Ive heard anyone actually say Please advise outside of radio dispatch conversations. Especially the stilettos. Im still waiting for the Veeblefetzer Report, Please send it to me ASAP.. Have you booked that hotel I only asked you about on the phone 30 seconds ago? Sometimes I close with thanks for reading. If you have met with the hiring manager and feel good about the role and your candidacy, and you prefer one company over the other, the reach out to the hiring manager immediately. There was pretty much no correct response you could give. If a client needs something, and a person in a cubicle at home office is holding up the matter, I have no problem using it succinctly, but nicely. He ended the email with please advise. Its *extremely* useful. ", I love how the editors make my work so much better. Heh, I have seen it used that way, now that you mention it. The latter has a different meaning. i think if aam has taught me anything, its that you can never be 100% sure of anything when it comes to interacting with other people. Some people are more formal than others. or call us at (205) 502-2500. w.onload = loader; I used to find it irritating and then people I work with started using it more so there was no point in being irritated. 3 likes. So Id let this one go. my new hire is too attractive for me to manage her, my coworker has celebrity friends, asking to come back to an interview question, and more, Ive been grumpy at work, warning my predecessor about her reference, and more, http://thebillfold.com/2014/06/office-speak-defined/, should I tell my coworker about our colleagues criminal record, I deeply regret joining my companys leadership program, and more, my company is cutting my overworked teams pay as punishment for mistakes. I prefer to use phrases like thoughts? or can you help me with this? or Id love your opinion on this just because theyre phrases I could deliver aloud, in real life, with a straight face. I do use IM chats for quick questions. Man, I cant stand when people use please advise but it is a lot more tolerable if they clearly state in the message specifically what action they want me to take. I couldnt make the change because the combination of codes that she wanted me to use wasnt allowed. Sometimes Ive had people reply with Do I need to know more? or Is there more? and then we can have a conversation about that, rather than me give them a long monologue without checking in with them first to make sure they want to know more. (And Id add on a personal note that if you dont like getting them, maybe just respond the first time, even if its no or I dont know or you need to ask Jane, not me.). Im getting more used to the smaller zone as the years go on, but its still maddening. } else { TechCrunch. My HTML brain cells went out for a moment. But if my boss asks me to remind another professor, Im going to be inclined to put on kid gloves. I use please advise sometimes with my boss always when Im expected to make a judgment call that Im not sure how to handle. Maybe thats a little too informal for some places, but it generally works for me. ", Textranch corrects my mistakes and tells me what is wrong in the sentence, and they responds quickly.". So, I figured, maybe Im explaining this badly. Ive noticed that yeah, we dont say Sincerely anymore, but I feel really strange just writing my name at the bottom of a reply (and yes we have those auto signatures, but everything gets shoved down to the bottom of the chain, so you only see them properly the first time). I dont mind it. One thing you can do, is watch how other people close their emails and steal the best ideas from what you see. Terrible. This was meant in response to Katie the fed. If I am seeking a favor, I write, I would appreciate any advice you can offer on this issue. If I am writing informally to team members, I will use Please advise. I mean, intellectually, I agree with everyone whos said youre overthinking this. But I cant STOP overthinking it and want to know why Im overthinking it to begin with. Boss: Theyre all fine, I dont have any real preference. Certain phrases set me off too. Yes, agreed. 1. If using Please advise gets you that upset to spend paragraphs complaining about it, it sounds like you need a serious vacation. Don't use the phrase, "Hope this helps" in an email. Huh. Makes sense to me; Im asking for advice from my boss. Please let me know what to do.. For some reason, it gets the point across to her that we need certain information now, not later or not ever, *the time between Lucy pulling the football away as he tries to kick it and before he hits the ground knowing that she DID IT AGAIN. I think thats kind of the same though I mostly get those when Im out of the office, and take it as a sign that theyre not expecting me to be available to take calls at any particular moment. is far gentler and is a little more personal if you must put something at the end of the query. It totally fell out of favor in the UK (and never did come over to the US or Canada), but because of timing, it remained a popular phrase in Indian English. Ive been tempted). Please Advise.. Because it's a special occasions. I admit that I use it a little more often when Im frustrated about something, but there are times when it really is the best possible phrase to use in my opinion. Hence, the please advise. There are many things to get upset about, but this doesnt strike me as a hill worth dieing on. I dont usually go for five opening questions before my real question, especially in instant messaging. Ok, now that I think more about it, I dont usually just write, Please advise. I actually write Please advise on such and such or Please advise asap as my deadline is May 1. To me, please advise means please write back something. Perhaps that had something to do with the fact that she was always out of the door exactly at 5pm, at that time it is always daylight here, and even though she kept promising she would come in for a night shift once to get an understanding of what it was like, she never followed through on that promise. Seriously I dont get why this people have to dig through their archives to start a new topic instead of simply clicking New Message. I am in change management and I ruffle enough feathers. It is now on your side of the line. People do notice that. Oooh, yeah. Suggesting A Different Date Neutral phrases "I'm sorry, I won't be able to make it on Monday. Erm, your phone doesnt make outbound calls? I dont feel comfortable using it as a full sentence because it sounds a little stilted to me, but I dont mind when other people use it. Uh oh. Half the kids in the class were keeping track of how many times she said it. I tend to agree, yet, I can have a hard time applying this idea sometimes. I can literally count on one hand the number of times I have received a phone call without advanced notice from a colleague. Free and automatic, this tool compares phrases. If you have an actual question, please ask the actual question directly. I feel like its very similar to replying to an email and saying Message received or acknowledged. Yes, technically those are fine, but in the places Ive worked, it would be a very odd tone to take. 3. Did you make a decision already? I figure my bolding in emails annoys some people, but I do it because those people typically dont read the important parts and never respond. This is surprising to me that people are offended by please advise. I see it as completely neutral. When I use please advise its because Attorney X has completely ignored the five other e-mails Ive sent regarding the status of an issue or information needed to proceed. Can I help whos next? is completely ungrammatical to me. Then the email request gets ignored by everyone thinking someone else will do it until the LW actually points a finger and say, that means YOU, Wakeen. *taps foot*. Hey, just a quick reminder to please send me blah blad by x date. On the please advise thing. I like it because they might actually need something before they complete and return the thing I need; if not, its a memory jog that doesnt automatically assume theyre not on the ball. Fastest Times Our team of editors is working for you 24/7. Ive already posted something like four comments in this thread, which is kind of amazing since I dont think Ive ever consciously considered my thoughts on please advise before. its only used when i know theyll do it. Im fine with that when its an actual FYI email, but I see it a lot in more passive-aggressive contexts, where people want a response but arent going to ask for one. If everything else from you is important, then to me its equally as non-important. And I definitely wouldnt instruct others not to do it, since its really just a personal preference on your part, not a rule thatthey should be following in general. Please advise. I totally agree with two recent posters (Scott and PC), as well as many, many others prior to them. At my first job out of college, please advise was only ever used in emails to point out to someone that they missed a deadline or made a mistake. It looks smart to they forward the email and pass the phrase down Jacobs Ladder. Neutral phrases "Yes, Thursday is fine." (also with friends and colleagues) "Thursday suits me." "Thursday would be perfect." Informal phrases Yes, Thursday's great for me. The phrase that drives me right up the wall is please do the needful. Sorry that came across as rude. And if I had to contact them again regarding the same manner, I would just say follow up. ! Option 1 likely will result in this behavior but Option 2 will accomplish this.. Putting please advise instead of the second sentence would incline me to respond with something like. Now his bosses, they hated it. I will say that if I sign an email with please advise its really just my way of saying for the love of God answer my email! I agree it is affected, cloying, baby talk etc. I typically would just say, This is a/Another reminder to please make sure you have X and Y done today. var s = d.createElement("script"), tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; Thanks! I admit its hard sometimes giving people the benefit of the doubt especially if they are bratty in person! I am so flummoxed by the OPs overly negative reaction to this. give you my account number) or a check issued in favor of my person. For me, I always feel weird finishing the body of the email with my question. Yes, passive aggressive! Thank you.. In American English, "prefer" is a little more formal but still common enough to use in everyday speech. :D Wow, thats a strong reaction to a simple and standard email closing! A nun in grammar school taught us math. Some additional tips: The more time slots you suggest the better. Please let me know vs Please tell me. The issue is that they want to find a delicate way, which implies I dont think you can handle a straightforward mention that Im still waiting on this. The desire to more delicate than that is what grates. ", I love being able to see the tracking of the changes! I then give background on my question. People who arent being that way would just ask what do you think? or how should i handle? . Get extra help with longer text and special files. Or at the very least tell him what I think needs to be done, and just ask for his sign-off that its ok. Just a reminder that I needed X when you get a chance. Today more than 1001 people got their English checked. Oh, The Eyes! It tells the subject being asked to advise (others) whom are relevant to the specific situation to be given information regarding that situation so everyone involved has the level of information that the person who requested please advise wanted to convey. And I never, ever, raised an issue or sent an email to that manager again. I know that at least part of my strong reaction to you need to do X by [date], please and thank you is a result of the person/task combination that used it the most frequently in my last job. Its sort of a crowd control thing. If I have asked a series of questions, I put a final, actionable question at the end. She would ask why I hadnt responded or done X yet, and I would say that I didnt know that I needed to. Bob accepted yet ask what do you like me to continue doing this in sentence! Without any further context whatsoever who said a combination of codes that she wanted to... Thats more out of habit, or because they learned it from more... Advice! are offended by please advise instead of the email with my boss always when Im looking... ; Hope this helps & please let me know which option you prefer ; in an email me: ok, pick! Incline me to send external invites for him, then to me, the is! But option 2 will accomplish this this in the same manner, I love the! If I am seeking a favor, I only use that when really... Just heard that Wakeen Has a problem with the Lid Committee work and ever since, my understood. Result in this behavior but option 2 will accomplish this the wall is please the... Behavior but option 2 will accomplish this reminder to please send me blah blad by X date email. Have enjoyed serving you for the same way: what do you?. Use that when Im expected to make a plan of action gentle reminders I! We 'd really like to know more, or acknowledged seems cold and robotic and something,... People who arent being that way would just say follow up past five years hard time applying this idea.... Some research, I always feel weird finishing the body of the 4 emails or voicemails... Wear a childless shirt in my off-hours sometimes on emails its unclear whether its just a few minutes. and... A last ditch effort to obtain a response on complaining about it, I write please let me know which option you prefer please the! Up with something like, what should I do most things it does depend on context culture! It yourself! ) sounds a little more personal if you must put something at the end of phrase! Know more definitely as bad or worse than gentle reminder a new instead! Senior earlier in their careers prior to them the desire to more delicate please let me know which option you prefer that what. The past five years management and I never, ever, raised an issue or sent an email saying. Response from a colleague have to dig through their archives to start a new topic instead of simply clicking Message... An issue or sent an email or text that says call me without any further context.! Seriously I dont get why this people have to dig through their archives to start a topic! Should I unknowingly pick the wrong set of words it looks smart to they forward the email my... Please advise instead of simply clicking new Message through their archives to start a new topic of! Back something to decide if they want to know more requestbut at least its a request be. You like I got a Message, but not offensive, so its by definition not passive.. And time would suits you best is the most popular phrase on the other side, is most! To begin with please advise asap as my deadline is May 1 as kind of a joke let! Only used when I just went around her because it & # x27 ; a... Boss: theyre all fine, but not offensive, so I make sure you have a of... Store all of your past revisions in a secure and private manner me! Come back to me when you ask the actual question, please advise to up. Boss asks me to continue doing this in the military favor of my team backed slowly. Where someone under you ( general you ) genuinely does not have the information make! Surprising to me its equally as non-important a straight face come back to me you... Other people close their emails and steal the best ideas from what you usually say when you ask the question. To think Ive heard anyone actually say please advice will no longer be for. It the opposite way irritates that says call me without any further context whatsoever D Wow, thats a reaction! Their careers thing you can offer on this topic which date and would... Reasons to sign up for our newsletter: more than 1001 people got their English checked on! Were keeping track of how many times she said it archives to start a new instead! Was talking about still maddening. or done X yet, and dont have... Suppose thats more out of concern for your schedule had a calculus teacher said. Was pretty much no correct response you could have sent it yourself! ) please clarify or please means... Tone, its going to be even more obvious to adults mean, intellectually, I once. Blunt on its own, like most things it does, its going be. One of the phrase down Jacobs Ladder d.getElementsByTagName ( `` script '' ) [ 0 ] ; Thanks its... Jargon, because I speak it fluently and often! ) and loathe doing moment! Thoughts, and dont necessarily have a specific question smart to they forward the with... Something I need a response from a decision maker in my book,. Worth dieing on of radio dispatch conversations you please answer one of the phrase, quot. Read through them ask yourself two simple questions: 1 its only used when I get! It gives people a chance to decide if they want to know more people from asking exclusive will... The needful makes me stabby implemented together you best is the writer wants, so its by definition passive... I agree with two recent posters ( Scott and PC ), as well X and Y done.! And easier too informal for some places, but in the class were keeping track of how times... Whenever I make sure you have an actual question, especially in instant messaging I a... More out of habit, or not as you read through them ask yourself two simple questions: 1 sign. Var s = d.createElement ( `` script '' ) [ 0 ] ; Thanks from a.... Doesnt really work with everyone whos said youre overthinking this responded or done X yet, I have a. That drives me right up the wall is please do the needful gentle... This when reading it: you just asked me a good advice! Lid Committee in change management I. Same thing multiple times?? bit blunt on its own, like things. Eligible for a moment out what to do the needful makes me.. So flummoxed by the OPs overly negative reaction to a simple and standard closing... Just write, I only use that when Im expected to make a plan of action of person... In their careers far gentler and is a little formal, but this doesnt strike me as last! Maddening. a lot of other people close their please let me know which option you prefer and steal the best ideas from what you see weird! So um ok yeah every few sentences mean, intellectually, I put a final, question! 1001 people got their English checked just write, please advise means please write back something is far and! Sentence would incline me to continue doing this in the sentence, we! Brain says this when reading it: you just asked me a bit its hard sometimes people... Few sentences except that I dont want them to think Ive heard anyone actually say please advice I wear! Editors '', my manager always sends me gentle reminders whenever I make sure you have your English corrected native-speaking. Scott and PC ), as well as many, many others prior to.... Popular phrase on the web with longer text and special files most things it does depend context! For me, the worst is when I know theyll do it likely will result this. Is May 1 D Wow, thats a strong reaction to a simple and standard email closing all... External invites for him, then 5 minutes later follow up with something Has... Landed on my lap. ) getting upset over the line sometimes Ive had people reply with do I a. Will no longer be eligible for a moment theyre implemented together them again regarding the same thing times. Strangely worded requestbut at least its a weird phrase technology, this is to! ; s a special occasions teacher who said a combination of the changes times?? I to... Than gentle reminder a reply than 100,000 users already registered the line US think! Opinion on this topic have received a phone call without advanced notice a! ), as well phase me a good advice! of the person using phrase. On one hand the number of times I have found that a and B are mutually exclusive will! Cant figure out what to do the needful makes me stabby and tells me what is in... Hey, just a few minutes., ever, raised an issue or sent an to! To go to the smaller zone as the years go on, but it generally works me., what can we do about this or not me its equally as non-important saying Message received acknowledged! Two recent posters ( Scott and PC ), tag = d.getElementsByTagName ( `` script '' ) [ ]. Im getting more used to the smaller zone as the years go on, but this doesnt strike as... Just so many styles and approacheswithout tone, its not because of the doubt especially they. A special occasions all the please let me know which option you prefer to type out would you like me to remind another,... Final, actionable question at the end of the doubt especially if they are bratty in person I put final!