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That motivation is logical, but I think it's more considerate to type out just a few words so the recipient has some idea what's up. For example, "hi, i have a

That motivation is logical, but I think it's more considerate to type out just a few words so the recipient has some idea what's up. For example, "hi, i have a question about web config files" or "hi, i need help with a SQL query" or "hi, we may have a production issue" or "hi, i want to propose a change to how we do builds". This allows the recipient to prioritize. Just because they are present doesn't mean that now is a good time for every conversation.

kijin 6y ago
In my experience, people who prefer synchronous communication are much more likely than those who prefer async to think that now is always a good time to have whatever conversation they want to have. Therefore, asking them to consider whether now is a good time will not make any difference. That condition always returns true for them.
dheera 6y ago
Totally agree. I also hate it when people assume that I'm synchronous even though I may respond quickly to the first query by chance. I usually periodically take breaks to batch process all instant messages and then mute notifications until the next break. If I've already responded to your first question chances are I won't return to your chat window until the next break. I'm also not opposed to synchronous conversations, it just needs to be scheduled. So the first question should not be "Hey how was your weekend" but rather "Hey how was your weekend, and what time this afternoon could you spend 30 minutes with me chatting about (A) (B) (C)"
cgriswald 6y ago
I'm not sure whether we agree or not, but I disagree with your examples. It's not enough to categorize your need, you should at the very least summarize your needs. Including an urgency and a reason why you need the person's feedback or help would not go amiss. > "hi, we may have a production issue" Do we or don't we? How urgent is it? Do you need help with the issue or do you need help determining whether there is an issue? I have no idea, so I have to drop what I'm doing to find out because you said the magic word 'production'.
stjohnswarts 6y ago
changed with some urgency descriptor like "when you get time" or "boss wants it by COB, will call in a couple hours in case you haven't seen this". I agree that Hi is not enough. Have a purpose and convey it. We're all adults here. Email is probably still better for this and less "conversational"

kijin 6y ago

In my experience, people who prefer synchronous communication are much more likely than those who prefer async to think that now is always a good time to have whatever conversation they want to have. Therefore, asking them to consider whether now is a good time will not make any difference. That condition always returns true for them.

dheera 6y ago

Totally agree. I also hate it when people assume that I'm synchronous even though I may respond quickly to the first query by chance. I usually periodically take breaks to batch process all instant messages and then mute notifications until the next break. If I've already responded to your first question chances are I won't return to your chat window until the next break. I'm also not opposed to synchronous conversations, it just needs to be scheduled. So the first question should not be "Hey how was your weekend" but rather "Hey how was your weekend, and what time this afternoon could you spend 30 minutes with me chatting about (A) (B) (C)"

cgriswald 6y ago

I'm not sure whether we agree or not, but I disagree with your examples. It's not enough to categorize your need, you should at the very least summarize your needs. Including an urgency and a reason why you need the person's feedback or help would not go amiss. > "hi, we may have a production issue" Do we or don't we? How urgent is it? Do you need help with the issue or do you need help determining whether there is an issue? I have no idea, so I have to drop what I'm doing to find out because you said the magic word 'production'.

stjohnswarts 6y ago

changed with some urgency descriptor like "when you get time" or "boss wants it by COB, will call in a couple hours in case you haven't seen this". I agree that Hi is not enough. Have a purpose and convey it. We're all adults here. Email is probably still better for this and less "conversational"