I was teaching a seminar in a ground-floor classroom for a favorite client, and I was charged with making coffee for the group. Setting up the coffee, sugar, cream, etc., I noticed quite a few tiny ants on the table. I swept them into the trash with a wet paper towel, but later there were more tiny ants, and more. There seemed to be an endless supply of ants.
When the seminar ended, I emailed my client to let him know about the ants. He emailed the maintenance department, requesting that the room be sprayed to eliminate the ant infestation. On this message he copied (Cc’d) me, his manager, and someone else I didn’t know.
From that moment on, I got emails (Reply to All) about every single step of the process: I was copied on the discussion of ants in other parts of the building. I was informed of when the room had most recently been sprayed. I got the confirmation of the work order to spray the room. I was notified when the room spraying was completed. I was copied on the thank you my contact sent to the maintenance department, and I believe I received a copy of the "You’re welcome, anytime" message the maintenance department sent back.
I taught business writing in that room twice a year. Do you think I needed to be Cc’d on all those messages? No, I don’t think so either.
My "ants in the classroom" experience took place several years ago, but it came to mind last week in a seminar discussion about email. One man admitted that whenever he received an email that required a response, he would Reply to All if other people had been Cc’d on the email. It did not matter whether he knew the people or knew why they were Cc’d. He would still Reply to All.
Other people in the seminar called this CYA (cover your _ss) behavior. The man agreed, but he felt Replying to All was required.
I understand his viewpoint, but I disagree with the requirement. When I reply in email, I reply to the person who emailed me–not to all the people who were cc’d. However, if I know them or who they are and I know that they would benefit from my reply, I will Reply to All.
Unless the person who sends the original message writes "Please Reply to All," I believe we can–and should–take the opportunity to reduce unnecessary email. Otherwise we will all drown in Cc’d CYA email. Even after the innocent ants have been eliminated, people will still be getting copies about their demise–people who don’t need or want to know about it.
Reply? Reply to All? What is your view?
Lynn
