15 Annoying E-mail Habits That Are Specific To Your Generation

Earlier this month, Jodie Foster  revealed what irks her most about working with younger people .

Besides the fluctuating start times (Theyre like, Nah, Im not feeling it today, Im gonna come in at 10:30am, she said), Foster, 61, said she doesnt understand Gen Zs overly-relaxed email style. 

In emails, Ill tell them this is all grammatically incorrect, did you not check your spelling? And theyre like, Why would I do that, isnt that kind of limiting? the True Detective: Night Country actor told The Guardian . 

Online, Fosters comments got people of all ages talking about the generation-specific email habits that bug them the most. Our readers had thoughts, too. Below, the most annoying email habits, according to Gen Z, Gen X, Millennials and Boomers.

So...many...ellipses...

The older generation uses ellipses (...) at the end of sentences without realizing that it completely changes the tone. An OK means OK/agreeable, while OK... reads like umm...sure, I guess, idiot. Dont get me started on coworkers who message you hi and nothing else .  Jordan Davis , a sketch comedian

Using too many question marks or exclamation points 

One email habit Ive noticed mainly from Boomers is when they dont understand or want to emphasize something, they often use multiple question marks or exclamation points. It just ends up coming across angry, even if that wasnt the intention. Jarrod Benson , a sketch comedian 

Not following up

By and large, young people seem to think that by sending an email the job is done! Not checking to see if the email is received or understood [is] like throwing a spear and assuming it will find its target.  Pat Pattison, TV host and star of Pat Pattisons Best of California  

Overly long emails

Long emails get to me. Make it snappy! Spend time to condense your email into two or three sentences otherwise theres no way I have time to read all that. If youre new to the corporate world then its OK, as I remember spending hours trying to craft the perfect email, but if youre a millennial or above then get to the point fast and quit the yapping. Adam/@ MrBrotein , a sketch comedian 

What I find the most with millennials, are the replies that are so long-winded with a lot of excess details that now I forgot what my initial ask was! Just get to the point already!  Janet Gunn, lifestyle influencer at The Grateful Gardenia  

Random line breaks

I had a Boomer co-worker who did a line break in the middle of sentence because it looked too long and still did the double space after a period. I wouldnt have minded except that she would get mad if you didnt write back her way.  Angelique Z.

Writing a full email with caps lock on

Across the board, unnecessary caps lock.  Jessica I. 

Not spell checking

The younger they are, the less they proofread anything. It only takes a moment and you catch many accidental errors. Im not perfect but I consider grammar and spelling to be important.  Jan P.

Replying all when its really not necessary

Boomers will reply all to every group email. Stop the insanity!!  Kimberly W.

Using read receipts

Having read receipts on for every email you send. No, Im not reading that useless email that you find so very important.  Sarah A.

Excessive use of slang

Using slang or abbreviations like its a text between friends.  Colleen K.

Not understanding the function of the subject line

My boomer coworker types the email in the subject line. The whole email.  Immitay I.

Overuse of acronyms 

What gets me is when someone uses acronyms in emails. I have to stop reading, copy the word and then go and Google what it means. Cathy Williamson, blogger at The Middle Page Blog

Calling immediately after sending an email 

Boomers will send emails, then call two minutes later: Ive sent you an email.  Svea J. 

No signatures

One of my pet peeves is when people dont sign their emails or provide a title or affiliation if they do provide a first name. Its so casual as if I know them already when this is the first time they are corresponding with me.  Judy Freedman, blogger at A Boomers Life After 50  

Not sending emails at all

Ive noticed that Gen Zers arent fond of using email; in fact, they tell me email is over and lean toward FaceTime and texting. Texting... OK, but now I have to find my glasses and my phone! Take it from me, if youre over 50, youre not so interested in a FaceTime call at 9 a.m. unless its from your Gen Zer son!  Freedman