Re: Timothy C. May: Mini-mailbombs and Warning Letters

[patrick@Verity.COM (Patrick Horgan)]

> 
> 	but the key was not there.  Please mail me your key.  Thank you.
> 
> 
> If anyone has a constructive suggestion as to how this mail could be
> changed to convey more information or to be less "threatening", please
> mail me.
> 
Sure, I found the above offensive.  It comes across in exactly the same
tone as a cop saying, "Please step away from the car."  I know it's silly,
but sometimes Please just isn't enough.  The simple change:

      but the key was not there.  Could you please mail me your key?  Thanks.

works miracles:)  The tone on the rest of it was nice.  You have to be careful
with imperatives.  They usually sound mean...even with a please at the front.

Patrick
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