# Is thanking someone for an email a bit too much? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 5, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-thanking-someone-for-an-email-a-bit-too-much/153033 "2003-02-05T19:53:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PerrinsAxe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5fc32e/32.png) [@PerrinsAxe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PerrinsAxe)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-thanking-someone-for-an-email-a-bit-too-much/153033/1 "2003-02-05T19:53:10Z")
As a general rule, what would you say? I e-mailed someone for information, and I got a helpful response in a timely manner. Now, I want to say thank you…but is it too much? Just to respond and say “Thanks!” Would the person appreciate it, or would it be annoying? I know that the question is subjective, but maybe there is some sort of e-mail code of ethics that I am unaware of… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-thanking-someone-for-an-email-a-bit-too-much/153033/2 "2003-02-05T20:01:37Z")
It’s never a bad idea to say thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Snowcarpet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowcarpet/32/257_2.png) [@Snowcarpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowcarpet)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-thanking-someone-for-an-email-a-bit-too-much/153033/3 "2003-02-05T20:07:31Z")
As a person who spends a lot of time answering e-mails from the general public, I can say that a “thanks” is generally appreciated. Keep it very short, maybe put “Thanks for info” in the subject line. It’s always nice to know that live humans actuallly read the e-mails I so carefully craft… ---
**Author:** ![PerrinsAxe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5fc32e/32.png) [@PerrinsAxe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PerrinsAxe)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-thanking-someone-for-an-email-a-bit-too-much/153033/4 "2003-02-05T20:11:12Z")
Hmm…sounds good, basically what I was thinking. Thanks 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Washte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Washte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washte)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-thanking-someone-for-an-email-a-bit-too-much/153033/5 "2003-02-05T21:37:28Z")
Another one here agreeing that a thank you would be a very nice gesture. I do it myself and am fairly sure I’m not the only one. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-thanking-someone-for-an-email-a-bit-too-much/153033/6 "2003-02-05T21:44:48Z")
I frequently e-mail clients to get clarification or further instructions for projects I’m doing for them. When I get the answer, I always reply with at least a quick “OK, thanks.” It lets them know the message was received, understood, and appreciated. Same for unsolicited info they send. A basic courtesy, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-thanking-someone-for-an-email-a-bit-too-much/153033/7 "2003-02-05T21:55:36Z")
One thing I watch for is quoting the original message in the body of the reply. Email back and forth a few times and you get this bloated window of superfluous verbiage. But a “thanks” is always appreciated.