January 2, 2023

🇬🇧 English: Before You Write...

Please avoid saying just “Hello” in chat!
It‘s much more time saving for both of us if you directly ask your question!

12:32 you: Hi
+ 12:32 me: Hello.

⏳ I AM WAITING WHILE YOU PHRASE YOUR QUESTION

12:34 you: I'm working on [something] and I'm trying to do [etc...]
+ 12:35 me: Oh, that's [answer...]

Do that instead:

12:32 you: Hi — I'm working on [something] and [etc...]
+ 12:33 me: [answers question]

💡 Note that you get help minutes sooner, and you don't let me wait. Instead, I can start thinking about your question right away!

You're trying to be polite by not jumping right into the request, like you would do in person or on the phone. But Chat is neither of those things. Typing is much slower than talking. Instead of being polite, you are just making the other person wait for you to phrase your question, which is lost productivity.

The same goes for «Hello — Are you there?», «Hi Bob — quick question», «Do you have a sec ?», «yt?» and «ping».

❗️ Just ask the question!