It’s important to stay professional at work, even if your colleagues are driving you up the wall.
But now, office workers have shared how they get around this problem – by revealing some of their favourite passive aggressive comebacks.
The discussion began after Twitter user @DeeRene_ posted: ‘What is your favorite phrase to use in a professional clap back? Mine is “per my last email…”‘
Others quickly responded with the phrases they like to use to get their point across when they’re annoyed at work, ranging from the subtle to the rather blatant.
Office workers have revealed the most passive aggressive phrases they use in emails (file photo)
The discussion began on Twitter after one woman asked people what their favourite phrase was to use in a ‘professional clap back’
One person explained how his sign off changes depending on how angry he is feeling
One office worker revealed that his email sign off varies, depending on just how annoyed he is.
‘”Kind regards” = default,’ he explained. ‘”Regards” = p***** off and I want you to know. “Warm regards” = I will end you & you won’t know it was me.’
Others described how they spell out something to their co-workers when they just won’t listen.
Favourite phrases for this include ‘For clarity, I’ll reiterate’, ‘As previously stated’, and ‘Just so we’re on the same page’.
Others described how they like to forward previous emails when someone goes back on something they’ve said
One woman said she likes to use the phrase ‘Please let me know if I misunderstood’ – despite knowing she hasn’t
One common cause of frustration is having to repeat something you’ve already spelt out more than once
One office worker revealed her favourite phrase for dealing with this problem is ‘For clarity, I’ll reiterate’
When someone won’t listen to what you’re saying, you have to make your point crystal clear
Another issue is getting someone to actually respond to your email in the first place.
One person revealed that they use the very bold tactic of numbering each request in the subject line, while another prefers the more subtle technique of saying: ‘Not sure if my email made it to you as I haven’t heard back’.
Meanwhile, some Twitter users shared their frustration of people going back on what they’ve said.
One person described how their favoured tactic for this is to forward previous emails and write ‘Correct me if I’m wrong but here you stated…’
Meanwhile, one Twitter user explained how she likes to use the word ‘Respectfully’ – followed by something ‘very direct that may or may not be perceived as respectful’.
Another issue office workers often encounter is getting someone to respond to your email in the first place (file photo)
One woman said she uses the tactic of numbering her email requests in the subject line
Another prefers to use a more subtle approach of suggesting the email hadn’t come through
When someone isn’t being co-operative, it’s best to thank them in advance for their co-operation
There is no better phrase to back up something you’re saying ‘According to my records’
If someone is purposefully trying to be difficult, ‘As you are no doubt aware’ is a handy phrase
Meanwhile one woman revealed how she likes to use the word ‘Respectfully’ – when she knows she isn’t being particularly respectful