Email etiquette has shifted, with apologies for delayed responses becoming increasingly common, a trend likely fueled by the prevalence of instant messaging, according to recent reports. This phenomenon, observed as early as February 11, 2026, involves individuals apologizing for taking hours, days, or even years to reply to emails, even when no specific timeframe was requested.
The trend was highlighted in a post on Hacker News by Ploum, who expressed discomfort with the frequent apologies. Ploum noted receiving apologies for delays as short as five hours, even on "cold and unimportant" emails. The author found these apologies "awkward" and unnecessary, particularly when the email exchange was not time-sensitive or involved close collaboration.
The shift in email behavior is attributed to the influence of instant messaging, which fosters an expectation of immediate responses. This contrasts with the asynchronous nature of email, where time flexibility is a core benefit. Asynchronous communication allows for thoughtful responses without the pressure of real-time demands. The rise of instant messaging has seemingly blurred the lines, leading to a misunderstanding of the inherent flexibility of email communication.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment