I have noted a gender or sex difference--I don't see how to untangle this, given that the subject is a kind of anonymous medium--in my e mail "inbox." When a group is consulted about an issue that seems pertinent to the group, either sex will hit "reply all." But in other instances--and I'm working on a definition of these--men will reply to the sender only, reasoning that no one wants to be bothered with too much e-mail, and women will reply to everyone, reasoning that this is an inclusive or bonding or friendly move.
You'll have guessed that I noticed the pattern because I'm sick of getting e-mail I don't want or need to read, "Well done, team," that sort of thing. "Thank you for hosting a fine evening," sent to everyone so that everyone knows you are a polite kind of person.
Is this a pattern in your lives? David Ritchie, Portland, Oregon ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html
