You’ve just got “Noted”

Having started work quite recently (a couple of months now), I’ve had, already within this short stint, come across a good number of work ethics, etiquttes and practices. From the hush-hush of salary’s/past jobs/future jobs to the idiosyncratic scoreboard of brownie points to the politiking and right down to the work-email-sorta-response.

Its a work culture we cannot do without I suppose… that is if surviving is at the top of your mind… and it has its functionalities as well. For instance, work-email-sorta-response tend to be succint and very clear. It doesn’t beat around the bush. And it works out fine because hey, time is money. And more often than not, no one’s really that interested in what you’ve got to say.

But what really irks me is when habits like that are brought out of office and into friendly, amicable relationships out of office.

The word “noted” (used singly without accompanying text of concern/interest/emotion) really really puts me off – when used out of professional relationships of course. Maybe I’m overly particular with word choice, but seriously, Honestly, if your girlfriend told you she had an exam and couldn’t make it for dinner would just go “Noted, all the best”?? You ought to be shot if you said yes.

The word “noted” really just DOESN’T and CANNOT work with any other words of apparent concern. Its a total turn-off to be exact. Its a really mechanical response. But we live in a word of texting and emails. Oh and words carry no emotions. But the truth is, how much you give a damn will be reflected in how much thought you do put into words – which entails a consideration also how the other party would receive it.

So please, don’t patronize me. Noted?

Advertisement