Etiquette (1922) on chattering in conversation

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSomeone just thanked four hundred coworkers by accident, and the book from 1922 has a ruling. I have never been so ready.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMarcus, in Dayton, writes: I hit reply-all to the whole company just to say thanks. Now the CEO is replying to me. Please help.

3. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorMarcus, breathe. This is what Emily Post was warning about in 1922.

4. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's a mistake with a very large audience.

5. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorEmily Post, 1922: "There is a simple rule, by which if one is a voluble chatterer … one can at least refrain from being a pest or a bore.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd the rule is merely, to stop and think."

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorStop and think.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorExactly. Marcus, before you press send, stop. Then think. In that order. The book is very clear about the order.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMarcus writes back: the thinking part is where I keep failing.

10. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThen we schedule it. Ten minutes of thinking, a deep breath, and then Marcus types. Slowly. Very slowly.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTen minutes to type thanks. The book never had a send button.

12. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWhich is why it works. My verdict: Marcus is not a pest. He is a voluble chatterer with a very fast thumb.

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat was Etiquette, by Emily Post, published in 1922, per Project Gutenberg.

14. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFour hundred people read his thanks. The book needed twelve words, and it still lost.