If you check the Internet for this quote, chances are that it will be attributed to Confucius. It’s variations can found in many religions and cultures (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule) and can be easily understood as a basic code of conduct in a relationship based on reciprocal respect.
Now here is an incoming (unsolicited) e-mail from an unknown lady. She’s offering me to give a course in some public sector in-house university. For me the interest is limited, but the mail is very polite.
The proposal does not fit my agenda nor the usage I’d like to do with my very scarce private time, but in order to be polite and acknowledge the opportunity, I will of course answer.
The irony is that immediately after my answer was sent, an automatic mail message came back, explaining that my correspondent wants to shield herself off any unwanted e-mail (spam of course) and therefore, if I wish to overcome the digital blockade, I have to go through a procedure to identify myself.
If I don’t, the time invested in my polite reply will be lost as well as my nice guy reputation.
Hmm, isn’t it ironic that this lady, protecting herself from unsolicited e-mails:
- doesn’t apply the same rule to herself
- amplifies (involuntarily I believe) the inconvenience for the people she’s more or less asking a favor from.
So I went through the procedure and invested more time. I then felt this could be shared as a post on my blog and invested much more time.
Thank you lady. If you happen to read this post, please meditate on this maxim: Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you. And check your anti spam policy.
About the author, Chris HOHMANN
Chris HOHMANN 