Copyright AL.com
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I have a difference of opinion about emails sent from “do not reply” addresses. I say that, in principle, they display poor manners. They are akin to saying something to somebody and then putting your hands over your ears and repeating “I can’t hear you” (like children do). Now, I understand why a business or nonprofit (or scammer or spammer) would want to send out thousands of emails without accepting replies, which they might be obligated to respond to. But I say if YOU start a dialogue by sending ME an email, then you should be ready to continue the dialogue by letting me reply. GENTLE READER: The reason you cite -- not having to monitor responses to automated, bulk, commercial emails -- is indeed why “do not reply” email addresses were invented. Miss Manners notes this because she finds that new technology requires new etiquette much less frequently than technophiles imagine. The pre-internet equivalent is the sign on the company warehouse that reads, “This is the company’s central shipping facility. If you are looking for retail sales or customer service, please call this number.” If there are limitations on the sender’s ability to respond, it is not rude to say so, so long as they provide alternate means. But you should certainly object if your wife proposes to hang such a sign on the front door.
