Least annoying Way of Thanking by e-mail (Ettiquette)?

[WWGD]

Hi All,
I have been pleasantly surprised at how responsive and gracious many people, often very busy ones (academia, business people, etc), have been re my requests for information, general help , especially given my not being in a high position at this point in my life.
Still, while I want to show my gratitude to them with a reply email saying thank you, I worry that if I am to respond this way, I end up only taking their time and clogging up their mailbox, wasting their time in the end. I often just wish them thanks in advance. Any other way I can thank in a way that does not waste their time?
Thanks.

 

[DaveC426913]

If they give some of their time to respond to write back to in the first place, then they will not resent a follow-up thank you.
No one resents a thank you note.

 

[Choppy]

I agree with DaveC426913.

A short thank-you email is unlikely to perturb anyone.

 

[berkeman]

Agreed -- just keep it very short. I do it all the time.

 

[WWGD]

Following up on agreed-upon advice, thanks all.

 

[BobG]

Avoid emoticons and internet abbreviations, especially if you don't know them all that well.

Don't do something like:

Dear Sally,

I regret to inform you that your Mom passed away last night.

LOL,

Aunt Emily

with LOL standing for "Lots of Love". At least that's what Aunt Emily thought LOL stood for.

 

[StevieTNZ]

I always write at the end of my first email to them 'Many thanks for any assistance you're able to provide."

(Also I can't help it but laugh at any email that gets sent like BobG's example.)

 

[WWGD]

Maybe LOL should be changed to WLOL = Whole Lotta of Love to avoid confusion -- with the guitar riff associated to it.

 

[jim hardy]

Any other way I can thank in a way that does not waste their time?

I say something like:

I thought you might appreciate an email that doesn't ask anything of you !

Thanks for your kind help the other day regarding (?).
Eric Hoffer says "The measure of a man's bigness is how he treats little people."
You certainly measure up.

I really appreciate the kindness.
(insert a good word for the underling who actually answered the inquiry)

sincerely, ......

 

[berkeman]

I say something like:

I thought you might appreciate an email that doesn't ask anything of you !

Thanks for your kind help the other day regarding (?).
Eric Hoffer says "The measure of a man's bigness is how he treats little people."
You certainly measure up.

I really appreciate the kindness.
(insert a good word for the underling who actually answered the inquiry)

sincerely, ......

"Too many notes."

Quiz Question -- What movie is that line from?

 

[jim hardy]

Why,

Spoiler: who could forget that laugh ?

Amadeus of course ! great soundtrack...

 

[berkeman]

Why,

Spoiler: who could forget that laugh ?

Amadeus of course ! great soundtrack...

Ironically I have the same laugh But tragically not the same brilliance...