5 ms·
Ask HN: Sending out bad news emails- what to put in the subject?
For personal emails- do you put the bad news (or at least a hint of it) into the subject, or have a neutral subject and introduce the issue in the email? What in your opinion is the best practice? I realize that there are many variables depending on the news, your relationship with the recipient, etc. I'm just looking to see what people generally do.
- bdfh42 16y agoIf you can't do it face to face then use the telephone. Email is a terrible medium for communicating anything complex or things having an emotional dimension.
- chrisclark1729 16y agoCombining the two points: If you can't come up with a subject line, it's probably best to do in person.
- olegious 16y agogood point.
- DirtyPowder 16y agoIf I do have to communicate bad news over email I generally use a neutral subject line and introduce the topic within the email. My reasoning for this is: 1. There is less chance of missunderstanding. 2. Gives me time to phrase the news in a manner that is less abrupt than would be available in the subject line. 3. I get to frame the news in the manner I desire rather than the recipiant framing the news after an emotional reaction to a subject line. BUT, I have to agree that bad news should never be delivered via email.