Being a professional in your work sphere means that you have to be the best at what you do and know the common sayings and basic politeness of the business letter format if you want other people to take you seriously. And though we all try our best to sound professional in work emails, sometimes missed deadlines, lack of response, and overwhelming projects can put us on edge.
One of the keys to keeping a cool facade is the art of sending an email stuffed with polite common phrases, the kind that puts a glossy cover over your underlying frustrations. However, be careful when writing a passive-aggressive letter to someone—the truth might come out at some point, and the best outcome of that is you turning into a legendary office joke.
We here at Bored Panda have gathered some of the most common work letter examples and their true savage meanings. Scroll below to see examples of some passive-aggressive work correspondence and funny email translations!
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That's why you send emails with receipts lol. I know you opened, it got the receipt back and saved.
God yes, that's why we archive everything and the IT complains that our email servers are full.
How Do You Know if an Email is Passive-Aggressive?
You’ve just received an email, and something about it seems off. It’s dressed in a suit of politeness, but underneath, there’s a vibe of sarcasm. If the email is heavy on corporate email lingo that reads like “Just a friendly reminder” or “As previously stated,” it’s waving a red flag at you.
Those are the hallmarks of passive-aggressive emails. And the sign-off? If it’s a frosty “Best Regards” when you know there’s a storm brewing, that’s your clue. It’s the art of email translations, where “Best” doesn't always mean best wishes.
How Do I Stop Being Passive-Aggressive in Email?
Switching gears to your own email habits, it’s key to keep passive aggression out of your digital correspondence. Clarity is king. Be direct, be kind, and ditch the double meanings. Instead of falling into the trap of sending passive-aggressive emails, state your needs or next steps with straightforward kindness.
And about those closings—skip the passive-aggressive email sign-off like “Regards” when you feel anything but. A simple “Thank you” will do. It shows you’re above the fray, keeping it professional without the side of sass.
I use kind regards as a compromise between 'love' for friends and family and 'yours faithfully' in a work situation which just sounds old fashioned and stuffy. I don't use it sarcastically, just to be politely friendly
What's wrong with being polite? And people use the term when they are not making demands. If this is supposed to be a joke, it utterly fails. It is neither funny no framed as a joke.
My employer demands this being part of our signature. Now, I know why.
Never. Always just 'regards' for me. No "kind, warm or best' for these a******s.
Oh, sometimes I´d love to, but I really need that job :/
Load More Replies...I don't care what your opinion is. The record states xyz and if it's not documented then it didn't happen.
I don't want to have to tell you again so I'm going to be passive aggressive with my thank you in hopes that it will guilt you into doing it.
Lmao! I use this on a daily basis. As an regulator part if my job is making sure you follow your own damn policy that was approved by the board. It's YOUR policy, not mine. All you have to do is follow what you said you would do.
Please clarify your instructions since last time you almost cost me my job.
RELATED: Employee Working In A Company Run By Gen Z Reveals 7 Of Their Hilarious And Wild Email Signoffs
"I want this in black and white. I'm just trying to cover my own a*s. "
and a big "THANK YOU!" to some of the most incompetent management I have ever had to work with.
I have been the sender and recipient of many of these. Guilty as charged as well.
I ain't got time for any of that. (Which kinda explains why I failed my Diplomacy course - thankfully I made high enough marks in both Espionage and Combat Tactics to make up for it.)
I use some of these and it's not always that I mean something else by them... Not always... NOT!!
I've received more than my share of e-mails like these. About 99% came from women managers. (I am a female too) So many of these snarky e-mails are females who work for men and it always looked like they were trying to be tougher than boss-man!
If these are framed as a joke they fail completely. They neither framed as humor nor are they funny. It's like writing why every human being who has ever said thankyou is being insincere.
I used to have a boss who would say, "in your spare time," which meant NOW.
OML I use just about all of these! Sometimes as a cloaked message but oftentimes at face value...
"Just a quick update" = No, your website isn't finished yet and won't be later today either, sorry (not sorry).
My favorite one to use is "I think there's some confusion here" AKA you stupid MF read the actual email, it tells you everything you just asked me about.
I'm french, i don't get the half of it! ????HELP Pressure is an another level ,i think that i didn't get the half of it. We are blocking ways. If this was in USA, a lot of people will die. I'm not blocking, i'm going by buses (yes it turn !) But there are a lot of anger/fear to trump . Since the "rocket man" situation, unless the pussy grabbing one, the "IM THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE I WILL CREATE A "SPACE FORCE". Yes sure, in case aliens came and we will not prepared, sure. He his more than dangerous than a bushes, it is. Like a kid who know nothing ang get a red button for christmas. BUT I ASKED MORE TOYS!!!!!!!! (red button) POUCH
What about "I can see why you think that"? Translation: Your stupidity amazes me.
I have been the sender and recipient of many of these. Guilty as charged as well.
I ain't got time for any of that. (Which kinda explains why I failed my Diplomacy course - thankfully I made high enough marks in both Espionage and Combat Tactics to make up for it.)
I use some of these and it's not always that I mean something else by them... Not always... NOT!!
I've received more than my share of e-mails like these. About 99% came from women managers. (I am a female too) So many of these snarky e-mails are females who work for men and it always looked like they were trying to be tougher than boss-man!
If these are framed as a joke they fail completely. They neither framed as humor nor are they funny. It's like writing why every human being who has ever said thankyou is being insincere.
I used to have a boss who would say, "in your spare time," which meant NOW.
OML I use just about all of these! Sometimes as a cloaked message but oftentimes at face value...
"Just a quick update" = No, your website isn't finished yet and won't be later today either, sorry (not sorry).
My favorite one to use is "I think there's some confusion here" AKA you stupid MF read the actual email, it tells you everything you just asked me about.
I'm french, i don't get the half of it! ????HELP Pressure is an another level ,i think that i didn't get the half of it. We are blocking ways. If this was in USA, a lot of people will die. I'm not blocking, i'm going by buses (yes it turn !) But there are a lot of anger/fear to trump . Since the "rocket man" situation, unless the pussy grabbing one, the "IM THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE I WILL CREATE A "SPACE FORCE". Yes sure, in case aliens came and we will not prepared, sure. He his more than dangerous than a bushes, it is. Like a kid who know nothing ang get a red button for christmas. BUT I ASKED MORE TOYS!!!!!!!! (red button) POUCH
What about "I can see why you think that"? Translation: Your stupidity amazes me.