Keeping lines uncrossed
Reading in between the lines has become possibly a more valuable skill than ever before, in these times of frequent instant messaging and video conferencing.
Some folks are sticklers for precise usage of language and terminology. Many of them don’t have much time or patience for understanding emoticons, for example.
Circumstances are forcing us to accept that the full range of communication tools will be used to keep things moving along efficiently.
One rule of thumb I have found useful is to handle all my exchanges of this nature as if I’m onstage performing or presenting a talk to an audience. Economy of gesture has its benefits.
Informality works best when dealing with people in one’s personal life.
