I mean, it's not like texting or instant messaging, you know, like...

Ayy bb, wanna go out 2nite?

mmm... i hav 2 much hmwk :(

wuheva. i neva luvd u neway. (Whatever. I never loved you anyway.)

well im pregnant. (Well, I'm pregnant.)

There is no limit to how informal you could be.

But when people use email as a medium to contact me, I feel the need to have more... discretion because that's how I see emails—electronic mail.

And you wouldn't put "lols" and emoticons in mail.

lmao here's your cheque—I'm Canadian, so I spell it that way—for $1,200. :) (smiley face)

#makeitrain (hashtag make it rain)

On one hand, I feel the need to sound professional, especially if it's business related, but on the other, I don't want to sound boring and uninterested in the topic.

So when you eliminate text lingo and emoticons, you are left with the default English language—or whatever you speak—and proper punctuation.

But if you're like me, I like to express emotion into my words, especially if it's not in person or on the phone, because I hate when people misconstrue the tone of my messages.

So, for me, when I write an email, what ends up happening is something like this...

Hey Dom! Just wondering if you're free this week to set up a conference meeting with everyone. Thanks!

You can do this!

Hey! Um... oops!

Hello Christine, um... no, that sounds like I'm welcoming her to my lair.

Hello Christine!

Nope!

Heeeeyyyy... No no no…

Well, she used an exclamation mark, I guess I will, too.

Hey!

Good, good. That's good.

Yeah I'm free!

No no no… I just used an exclamation... I... I don't want to sound like I'm too loud.

Yes, I am free.

No... I sound like I just escaped prison with a vengeance.

Yeah, I'm free. Just let me know what time.

Just let me know what time?

Just let me know what time!!!!

[One hour later]

Hey! Christine.

A day within this fortnight, fits within my schedule!

See you soon.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones,

Most Sincerely,

Domics

That's perfect.