My coworker got mad at me because I don't put exclamation points, smileys, or "LOL" in my emails.

Well Dick, I think your overreacting!!!!!! :) lol hehehehe.

ROTFLMAO!!

(((((((((hugs)))))))))))

STFU, OP

The boss might be more interested in the fact that you're wasting time seeking workplace advice on letsrun during work time. JK :) LOL

I can see both sides. Email is a relatively informal type of communication and smileys, lols, and exclamation points act as very crude methods to convey emotions. Periods, in particular, give your writing a flat and somewhat commanding tone. It makes people feel used in an instrumental way rather than appreciated. A smiley or a lol can go a long way to soften it.

Diane,

I need these reports processed for an internal audit. Can you take care of them? Thanks.

Diane,

I need these reports processed for an internal audit - can you please take care of them? Thanks! :)

The linguist John McWhorter has some good stuff on this.

http://blog.ted.com/2013/02/28/the-linguistic-miracle-of-texting-john-mcwhorter-at-ted2013/

McWhorter's point is aimed more at informal texting rather than business writing, and that's where I see your side too. Writing should be clear and adhere to common styles of usage, and moreover, older workers may not be familiar with the norms built around texting.

lol I meant to put "please" in the formal request in the above post but accidentally left it out. I think it shows the more assertive framing that comes from a more formal style of writing.

Correct spelling and grammar is intimidating, too.

She wants you babe, she wants you

Did your co-worker get mad at you because you don't put smileys in your emails, or because you called her out for doing it?

Surprise! wrote:

Did your co-worker get mad at you because you don't put smileys in your emails, or because you called her out for doing it?

The former. I didn't bring it up at all as I don't see it as an issue if she wants to write like that. I find it somewhat unprofessional, but it's not significant to me. She complained because she felt I was being a jerk for not writing the way she does.

What kind of mickey mouse company do you work at? Is your coworker a 15 year old girl? I can't fathom anything like this occurring where I work, with other adult professionals. Well except maybe for a quick and stupid joke being played on a manager, trying to sell off a complaint like your coworker's as serious.

I've been in the working world for about 2.5 years now and am actually really surprised by how many smileys and such I see in emails. I don't really care much one way or another, but I don't partake. The funniest thing I ever saw in an email was a teacher sending a group email on a day off that started with "Happy Yom Kippur!"

Walt Disney or Dunder Mifflin? wrote:

What kind of mickey mouse company do you work at? Is your coworker a 15 year old girl? I can't fathom anything like this occurring where I work, with other adult professionals. Well except maybe for a quick and stupid joke being played on a manager, trying to sell off a complaint like your coworker's as serious.

That's the thing, I am a professional and want to be seen as a professional. I take my work seriously, so I don't want to come across as an imbecile to people I work with. Furthermore, I have a working relationship with people I work with and do not want to be buddies with them (in general). I have not had this problem anywhere else I've worked or with anyone else I've worked with. I actually joke around a lot with certain coworkers, but I just think writing the way this woman does makes one look quite stupid and ignorant as I thought it was common knowledge NOT to behave this way at a workplace.

Attach a photo of Mr. Smiley to all future emails. That should do it.

Add this link to your email signature. She might get the hint...or maybe not? Perhaps send the link to your boss.