The Internet has a culture of its own and when in Rome, do what the Romans do is definitely important. Because you are talking across country, organization and cultural boundaries, there are rules which prevent you from unconsciously insulting people.

When you are writing e-mails, the style is informal. So you are lulled into the sense that you are having a conversation but it is not face to face. A comment face to face comes with a smile, a wink or anger but the same words in an e-mail leave no clue. It is very easy to cause offence.

Emotions

You are more informal using e-mail than in a fax or letter. In fact if you do not make the style of your e-mails like this, you can easily appear pompous. At the other extreme, if you use expressions like lots of love , this can also be misinterpreted and you can appear too familiar. Never use the word love unless you are talking to your partner.

Never use capital letters in e-mails, (e.g. PLEASE REPLY TO MY MESSAGE) this is very rude on the Internet as it implies shouting. If...