Post Vacation Rant

Hi.

I’m finding it difficult to jump in after being offline for so long. How does this work again?

We had a great time in Wisconsin and I have stories to tell. Cows, fireworks and the airport! Not all at the same time. Those are threeย separateย stories. Course now that I’m imagining all three at the same time the real stories pale in comparison. Bummer.

This isn’t a real post. This is one of those interim posts I write to get me from not writing to actually writing. I’m mostly practicing typing right now.

Oh wait! But I DO have a rant after cleaning out my email today.

This is what it is like for me to return to online-land after a vacation:

post-vacation-blues1

I have a few minutes to open my computer and check my email. I am going to be so productive and catch up in no time!

Then the emails start to load. And continue to load:

post-vacation-blues2

There are 668 of them. Honestly, not too bad. I mean, it is sorta bad. But at least it isn’t over 1000 again.

And don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about the number of emails. I’m fortunate that this many people want to email me about stuff. And I got many lovely, friendly emails from many of you and those are NOT the ones I’m talking about. Blah, blah, blah

I’m only talking about one particular type of email that I received.

post-vacation-blues3

This is how the email starts:

“Amber, I’m a huge fan of your blog…”

Not bad, right? They included my name and they said a nice thing. Then it continues with:

“Will you do this thing for me?”

Again, not so bad. People ask me to do things for them all the time. Can you post about my product? Can you share my blog post? Can you guest post for me? Can I guest post for you? Can you help me get traffic to my blog? Can you tell me how you got published? Can you tell me what your favorite cloth diapers are? Can you help me find a particular blog post of yours? Can you tell me who your agent is? Can you tell me the meaning of life?

No big deal, nothing wrong with people asking for stuff. ย I usually reply, but sometimes I don’t.

The annoying thing is what happens next.

Despite the auto-responser I had on my account (telling people I was on vacation and wouldn’t be responding to emails) this email arrived a few days later from the same person:

“I haven’t heard from you, just wondering if you are interested in doing this thing for me? I saw from your last email that you are on vacation but I’m sure you are checking emails on your phone and a quick reply is all I need. Thanks!”

And a few days after that I received another one:

“I still haven’t heard from you, but just wondering one last time if you’ll do this thing for me?”

And just yesterday, one more:

“I’m pretty sure you are back now so I’m not sure why I haven’t heard from you. Will you do this thing for me?”

And my reply to them was just one word…

“No.”

 

——————-

PS – If you received an email reply that said anything other than the single word, “No” then I’m not talking about you. If you received an email reply that only said, “No” then I am talking about you. Please look up the word ‘annoying’ in a dictionary. And perhaps ‘vacation’ as well.

Now that I’ve practiced typing, I’ll be back another day with a real post about something. I don’t know what it will be about. But it will be about something. Which is better than nothing. Maybe even cows or fireworks or airports. Who knows.

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135 Responses to Post Vacation Rant

  1. Christopher says:

    Awesome. Rudeness should be served exactly what it deserves, and good on you for serving it up.

  2. LOL! The squeaky wheel doesn’t always get greased, sometimes it gets slapped. NOT that I wouldn’t have done it myself. ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Tina W. says:

    Some people have no clue how annoying they are being on email, I remember one work acquaintance emailing me over and over when I was in the hospital birthing my daughter. Dude, figure it out or ask someone else! LOL

  4. Sarah says:

    Oh my goodness PLEASE say it was for a pyramid scam. That would make it that much more annoying. I am happy you enjoyed your vacation! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Danielle says:

    You should have drawn little cojones on your picture because that…was…awesome!! Love it!!!

  6. Carrie says:

    Wow! That is appalling. What do people not get about vacation? And that they would be so rude as to do that when they want you to do them a favor. Amazing!

    • Noelle says:

      I’d like to think that most people wouldn’t be that rude when asking for a favor.

      Sadly, I think I’m wrong.

  7. Kristina says:

    I’m glad you are back and have been missing your posts. Can’t wait for cows and fireworks and airports. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • Juan Castro says:

      Actually, THAT subject would be more appropriate for a The Oatmeal cartoon. (Wait, “The Oatmeal” and “appropriate” in the same sentence? Does not compute.)

  8. Adrienne says:

    This is not a comment. This is a request. Just a tiny little response will do. May I link all annoying emailers to this post henceforth and forever? In lieu of the simple “no,” I mean.

    Because really, why? Why do people do that? WHY??? Do they not know that I am doing the virtual equivalent of hiding in my house with the drapes drawn?

  9. Gail says:

    I loved the story. Your one word reply reminds me of my (then 2.5 year old) son’s response to my simple ‘no.’

    “Daddy says ‘Yes’!”

  10. Sophie Wolford says:

    I am so glad you had a great vacation! You deserve it….but I will admit I was having withdrawals lol

  11. Kai DuBose says:

    I got this all summer. I would email people and when they are at the beach house, vacation, camping, etc…no problem I talk to you later. BUT let it be me and my family headed to the beach and they call, then they text, then they email, then some called my husband’s cell phone. It’s so annoying to be so connected that some people do not respect the fact that sometimes some of us want to turn it off. Can you check your emails on vacation? Absolutely! But do you want to or choose to? That’s YOUR choice. People have to respect that.

  12. Lynn says:

    I’m a huge fan of your blog and…

    I’m so proud of you for not checking your email during vacation. Good job, mommy!

  13. Nickol says:

    Yeah!
    ‘No,’
    I’m totally gonna steal that! *Walks away practicing…*

  14. fellowblogger says:

    I think it is rude for people to ask bloggers for favors like that. Why would you want to post about a product for free or share a blog for free? I’m amazed that you take the time to answer any of those, after doing this for six years now I never do anymore.

  15. Heather says:

    Here I am all proud of you for saying a simple no. Why do I find it so difficult to do? I really have to learn how and be okay with doing it, it must be empowering. You’ve inspired me!

    • Nicole R. says:

      I can’t do it either and I really need to learn. I wish there was a class on this. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      • Shawna says:

        I find that there are two really important tips to being able to do this. Actually practice saying the word “no” while thinking of common scenarios when it is difficult to say it. And then two, get better at being able to watch an entire adult tantrum all the way through to the end without being tempted to interrupt it to get it to stop. It’s magic.

  16. Noelle says:

    I’m glad you’re back! Also, WUT??? An autoresponse saying you’re on vacation means YOU’RE ON VACATION. Not to hard to understand…

    Your response was great. ๐Ÿ˜€

  17. Rebecca says:

    I hate that this day in age people expect you to be connected at all times. I don’t have a smartphone for a reason, I do not want to be reached at all hours of the day. Some people find that annoying, too bad for them I guess, I’m holding out.

    • kate says:

      I agree! I have a cell phone for emergencies only and people get all weirder out by that. I’m pretty sure a lot of people think I’m lying to them when I say that and won’t give them my number. Call my house people. I’ll get back to you. Really. This is how it all worked not that long ago. We survived. I don’t need people calling me when I’m at the store or at the park with my kids.

  18. Denรฉe says:

    Good for you!

  19. Heather M. says:

    Makes you miss the days when your phone rang- from it’s home on the kitchen wall- and when you didn’t get it in time they would just have to call you back- no voicemail – nothing!
    (On a side note I plan on installing a kitchen phone when my girls turn 13 so I can eavesdrop on all conversations- think that will fly?!)

  20. sarah says:

    Ha. I love your response! ;D

  21. Karen Carlson says:

    It’s horrible… these days with wifi everywhere and phones in our pockets, we NEVER get time off.
    I remember getting a phone call from some disgruntled soccer mom (I was the team manager) WHILE I WAS ENTERING YELLOWSTONE… (seriously? You can’t take your problems to someone in the same state?)
    Good for sticking to your guns!

  22. Tomomi says:

    Good for you for not checking your emails during your vacation!! Everyone deserves a break from real life, this includes emails! Hope you got some rest that you deserve. Looking forward to your blog!

  23. This makes me even more proud of me that I only tweeted a couple of times that I missed you, and once to say I was happy you’re back. I’m going on a 1.5 week vacation and falling behind on reading blogs and writing, and I haven’t even left yet.

    Glad to know when I come back you’ll have posted something, maybe even three things.

    Welcome home!

  24. Alison says:

    Didn’t you know my dear Blogger champ – the world revolves around other people? They may one day feel sad when scientists prove that in fact, they are NOT at the centre of the planet.

    Also seeing that they didn’t even say “please”. I mean COME ON person.

    In light of the regular questions though, might be a little more streamlined to write up templated / draft replies and then only add a few comments that are personal and direct, rather than the whole thing?

    LOL, The meaning of life. It’s 42. Dur. ๐Ÿ˜›

  25. MeanOldMother says:

    Try sorting your inbox by “from” – then you can weed out those kind of emails more easily.

  26. Carol says:

    Oh. My. Heck. What is WRONG with people? For real, Amber, for real. I’m going out of town tomorrow to spend a few days in the home where my mom grew up. We call it Grandma’s house, but grandma doesn’t live there anymore – it’s just empty, waiting for some of us to go there and stay for a while and drink in the memories. It’s in a TINY ranch town, no grocery store, no gas station, no restaurants, no internet/wifi (at the house), and I’m totally looking forward to it! I’m just not looking forward to all the catching up afterwards, and the potential “I ordered two days ago and my order hasn’t shipped!!!” emails (even though we are putting notices on our website). Anyway, you rock! and good job being disconnected for several weeks! I bet your boys were so happy! It sure is hard to be a mom in this world of technological connectedness, eh?

  27. Allison says:

    What? You don’t want to pet sit my ailing cat? Or review my product that NO ONE will ever want? Or guest post on my blog that only has 11 followers? Okay, my blog really does only have 11 followers. LOL

    Sorry people have no manners. Glad you had a good vacation!

  28. Mari says:

    Hey my blog is up to 14 today! I was going to wait until it was at LEAST up to 20 before hounding you to post on it…. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  29. Beverley M says:

    How rude! (Them, not you, obviously.) Good reply.

    Looking forward to your post about cows watching fireworks at the airport! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  30. Denise Moore says:

    Totally rocking awesome!!!

  31. Emily says:

    Was the person my MIL? Because it sounds just like her… Except she doesn’t email, she calls. The house phone, my cell, my husband’s cell… And leaves a message on each device.

  32. Lynn says:

    Good for you! Even though I do look at my email on my phone…if I’m on vacation…and it’s work related…I’m not responding… I just like to know what fires I have to put out when I get back…lol

  33. Rebecca says:

    yay! I was just wondering when you would show up again!!!

  34. Rani Mommy says:

    Wait… we’re not supposed to check email during vacation?

    Did I miss a memo? I did didn’t I? I just know I did. Let me check my email…..

    ๐Ÿ™‚ Welcome back!

  35. Brenda says:

    Pretty sure that is the exact correct response. ๐Ÿ™‚

  36. Beth says:

    You said your next post will be about something, which is better than nothing. But as we all learned from ‘Seinfeld’, an entire show (or blog post) about nothing, is really pretty entertaining. So, nothing or something… whatever you feel like doing. ๐Ÿ™‚

  37. Kayla says:

    Well… I think your response is awesome… I am a little sad the sender hasnt responded ๐Ÿ˜‰ …yet.
    Hope you had a great vaca. You just take your time and no worry abt getting back into things (just not too long ๐Ÿ˜‰ ).

    And… at least that’s 1 chkd off your email list ๐Ÿ˜‰

  38. Marina D-K says:

    Those “Don’t you know who I think I am” people are the worst! You were on vacation why was that hard to understand…geez. Good for you in responding appropriately!

  39. Leli says:

    My husband had his work email set to “I will be out of the office with no cell reception… yadda yadda” and he had people replying to his “out of office” email saying “But I really need this done, can you have it done by tomorrow?”. Umm… no.

    • Mocca says:

      I’m pretty sure there is a whole bunch of people out there, that do not know the meaning of AUTORESPONDER.. AUTO being the operative syllable here.. for AUTOMATIC

      (if you’re having an “A-HA now I understand it’s actually a preset message sent automatically each and every time I sent you an email in that allotted time frame” moment, there may still be hope for you ๐Ÿ˜‰ )

  40. Nicole says:

    I’ve been contemplating becoming a *professional* blogger, but it’s stories like these that make me wonder if I really have it me! You gave the perfect response. I’d have probably written the person a book about courtesy and respect and then after hours of edits and re-writes, simply changed my mind and continued to ignore them.

    We’re so glad you’re back! Lets do this homeschool thing, mama! I hope you’ll write more about it.

  41. Elisabeth says:

    Oh, Amber, I feel for you. People just don’t know when to stop. I recall getting a particular crappy email about low productivity at my office and what I needed to do to fix it . . . while riding in the limo between my dad’s funeral and the cemetery to bury him. It was followed by a “please disregard the prior message until you get back,” but by then the damage was already done. Ease back into the groove and have some wine. That’s what I would do!

    • Ruth says:

      I’m just wondering… Why check mails in the first place in such a situation?

      In think when writing an email one doesn’t have to consider where the other person is or what she’s doing. It’s just mail.
      Read it when ready for it or don’t.
      Have a day off and other buisness than talking to someone?
      Don’t answer the phone.

    • Ali says:

      Wow. That is unbelievable.

  42. Katherine says:

    Wow, how dense can people be? When there is an automated reply message about vacation, you have to DROP IT. Unless there is an emergency (i.e. you are a family member), in which case you call, because someone has already authorized you with the numbers to do so.

  43. Julie says:

    At least that was 4 emails you could delete real quick. And if you had more than 1 series like that, it cuts your email load down even more! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  44. Susan Veach says:

    My DH: Why don’t you get your e-mail on your phone?
    Me: Wh-what? Think about that.
    Joey in Australia needs a proof RIGHT AWAY. 14 hours time difference. Phone buzzing in the middle of the night.
    During dinner, someone in CA needs an answer RIGHT AWAY, because it’s the middle of the afternoon there.

    And the really special ones: spam that doesn’t get filtered, newsletters, and just plain annoying people.

    Really, people. Vacation means unplugged, RIGHT AWAY. Which should be punctuated, Right? AWAY!

  45. Amy says:

    Original sens of humor ;D

  46. I am the sender says:

    :'(

  47. Woolies says:

    Why don’t people even realize how rude and annoying they are?
    oh wait….

  48. Karen says:

    I’m utterly horrified that anyone would be so rude! Glad you said no!!

  49. Fenny says:

    People wonder why I have a work phone and a personal phone, a work email address and (several) personal email addresses. This is so when I go on vacation, I put the out of office notice on the work email, turn off the work phone and spend a happy time reading my personal stuff and gloating that nobody, not even me, knows my personal cell phone number!

    “No” is an excellent response.

  50. Deneen says:

    awesome!! its unreal the “immediatness” of how we live … crazy!!!

  51. Paula Hartson says:

    I didn’t think it was possible to love you more, but I do now! Good for you.

  52. I made a New Years’ resolution several years ago that I would start saying “no” to people without offering an explanation or excuse. “No, I’m sorry that won’t work for me or my family.”

    I can do what I want! I don’t have to do what I don’t want! I don’t need a reason, and it’s been so empowering. Just to let you know, that you executed my vision for my “Just Say No” campaign to a tee!

    • Alison says:

      This blog quietly put a little confidence in me to start saying No as it’s the one thing I dont’ do as well as everything else.

      No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. HAHAHA, sounds like a Country song.

  53. Chrissy says:

    Good for you ๐Ÿ™‚ hope you had a great vacation.

  54. Julie says:

    Love it.

    Well, really, I hate it, but I love that you hate it too.

    My personal favorite (sarcasm) is when people leave you a voicemail, on your work phone, at like 11pm, and then call you again and leave another voicemail at 7am when they haven’t heard from you yet. Really?

  55. Sanj says:

    I agree with the responses congratulating Amber for practicing self-protection and self-empowerment. It’s not easy to say no, especially if we generally want other people to like us. So Hooray for being courageous! ๐Ÿ™‚
    Now for a deeper perspective: Current estimates of the number of people with autism spectrum disorder vary from one in 47 to one in 88 children, with perhaps similar numbers for adults. There are additional disorders that also affect people’s social skills, and there are various medical diseases which affect thinking. Add to that the side effects of medications, which can alter personalities; and the phenomena of PMS, anxiety, chronic severe pain, personality disorders, character disorders; or being the employee or agent of someone with any of these challenges.

    Maybe shredding a person who exhibits rude behavior is a bit off the mark. That is why simply saying “No” is such a brilliant and wise choice. For that, Amber, you get five gold stars!

  56. tara says:

    “I’m sure you have your phone with you” ?????? I mean, seriously?! That’s ridiculous. And presumptuous. And rude. I’m glad you weren’t checking your emails while on vacation, because that person didn’t deserve a response except the one you gave them ๐Ÿ™‚

  57. Chris Carter says:

    WOW. Just wow. Some people are amazing aren’t they? That kind of self-centered-ness is absolutely incredible. Just what you needed eh?
    Good for YOU Amber!!

    PS: Did you get my fourteen emails just asking for you to guest post for me? I figure at least you would respond to ME. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  58. Rachel says:

    But Amber, you’re like the Kate Middleton of the blog world. One day you were just a commoner like the rest of us, and then out of nowhere you become our queen. As it turns out, you’re pretty darn good at being awesome too. You’re famous now, and famous people aren’t allowed to wipe their rear ends without the rest of the world being all up in their business. How date you attempt to leave the limelight and be normal for five minutes? Totally uncool. ๐Ÿ™‚

    In all honesty, I think its awesome that you took time to really 100% be in the moment with your kids and left the technology behind. Have you thought of making a FAQ post where you can direct all of us, who stay awake at night aspiring to be you, so that you don’t continuously have to answer questions about how you turned your “crappy” blog into an overnight sensation?

  59. Rachel says:

    Wait…or maybe you could just do a post telling us that you already have a handy dandy FAQ section so that those of us who are slow, like me, will see that its there.

  60. Randi says:

    I am just glad I am not the only one who goes on vacation and does not check their phone or email. ๐Ÿ™‚

  61. Marjolein says:

    Glad to have you back!

  62. Jen says:

    This was so funny!
    When someone includes me in annoying emails over and
    Over again I simply reply with “UNSUBSCRIBE”
    Lol….works every time.

    • Dee says:

      That is brilliant, though I don’t think I’d have the guts to use it on the people who need it most (father-in-law jumps to mind, though he would probably miss the joke/insult entirely ๐Ÿ™‚

    • amber says:

      LOL, that is funny!

  63. Ali says:

    Best response to a rude, “entitled” person ever! Glad you had a good vacation. Vacations are my favorite. As a matter of fact, I could use one right now, even tho I had one 7 weeks ago! C’mon lottery!

  64. Audrey Horne says:

    A vacation is a vacation. Good on you for taking one.

  65. Lisa M says:

    I also consider vacation to include vacation from emails and put on the auto respond. Amazingly, people don’t take that seriously. I think I’m one of the few that doesn’t check emails, and who keeps my cell phone almost always off, while on vacation. Good for you for taking vacation seriously. The world would be a better place if more of us did.

  66. Kelly says:

    Seriously wish I could do this.

  67. Sharon says:

    If you send an email to Joana Breidenbach of charity fundraisers Betterplace, you get the following reply: “Many thanks for your mail. Unfortunately I won’t be able to read it, as I am taking my annual email sabbatical. From August 1-29 all my emails will be automatically deleted. See you in September, Yours Joana.”
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23547802

  68. krystal says:

    You leave too much! I know you have a life but, I love your blog. Lol. And I had to read your book at the store because I couldbt spend any money! I will go buy it eventually!

  69. My exboyfriend called me while I was ON MY HONEYMOON! I was at a fancy hotel in the French Quarter, and he made it look like it was my brother calling, so I was worried and answered. It was EXTREMELY awkward.

  70. Ashley says:

    Lookin forward to doing the same in less than two weeks, I’m hoping to take the extra leap and just leave the phone at home all together, only I just now realized I don’t own a camera anymore. I wish there was a way to lock myself out of any communicative applications on my phone for a while as I don’t necessarily trust my will power…

    • Rebekah says:

      A few weeks ago, we went to a family reunion, and there was NO cell phone signal – on any network! We all just put our phones in airplane mode, and then we could still use the cameras without killing the battery. It was really nice to get a *real* vacation!

  71. Dana says:

    I get that on Facebook…. hey, you’ve got a facebook page with more fans than me, can you advertise my (crappy) product? Why haven’t you? What’s wrong with you that you won’t help someone just starting out. DELETE AND BAN!

  72. Ang says:

    I get these request emails all the time and it’s OK if it’s a charity or something but the ones that really annoy me are just the ones that blatantly want stuff for themselves. I find it really annoying, almost insulting. I am all for giving back where its deserved but I just hate it when people want everything for free!

  73. I totally agree! I spend so much time answering these not only on email but facebook messages. Sadly I have realised that when you help one you also seem to open the flood gates to more enquiries. In the beginning I was flattered but 10 emails in I am like BLAH!

  74. Brad says:

    This is in large part why my wife and I try (as much as we can) to vacation OUT of the country. Much easier to say to the boss: “Oops. Sorry, cell phone doesnt work in Europe.” Cuts down on quick checks of voicemail and email too. Result is usually a wonderful, blissful, actual real life vacation.

  75. Elizabeth Beckman says:

    at 42 weeks my “friend” emailed me to ask for her maternity pants back. i was wearing them. then, a month later when i was home struggling to breast feed new infant, she emailed (at least twice) me a pic of her in one of her maternity tops, “can i get this back? it was one of my favorites.”

    • Heather says:

      That is ridiculous! I had a “friend” ask me to give back some hand me down clothes her son had grown out of so she could pass them on to another friend. “You know, just the ones your not using.” I gathered up every outfit, socks, even drive thru toys she had ever given me, including stuff my son hadn’t even grown into yet and immediately delivered them to her front porch. You don’t need that kind of nonsense hanging over you.

    • Phaedra says:

      Tell her she can have it back if she comes to get it as you are too busy right now. Lol!

  76. M.J. says:

    Wow… Stupid!! My friend came to visit me this summer and while he was here, he had to answer a bunch of work questions. Uhm, hello vacation means: NO WORK!!!

    People who are impatient need to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around them and they should have planned earlier and been reading that you were not going to be available. Also, keep account of what’s going on. *duh* Being a grown up means noticing those sort of things. *REALLY huge DUH!!*

    Sorry that you had to return to home with some annoying emails. That’s always a bummer! But I cannot wait to see your new posts about the vacation. ๐Ÿ™‚

  77. melissa says:

    Let this be a lesson to all of the annoying people out there in the world!

  78. SassyDandelion says:

    I read through all the comments hoping that the person would out themselves. So completely disappointed.
    Although, the person who posted that they were the offender and was all like, “Hahaha! No I’m not!” was pretty hilarious…! ๐Ÿ˜€

  79. Anastasia says:

    Blarf I cant stand the repeated e-mail though mine are never THAT important. Usually just Best Buy trying to talk me into that damn touch screen computer that I NEED TO HAVE. I can yell at their robotic reply email all day but it would get me nowhere ๐Ÿ˜‰

    -A

  80. Michelle says:

    “I got your last message saying your were on vacation but I know you check you e-mail anyway”…. WHAT??? what does this person know? when we go on vacation, we bring NO computers or wifi accessories. We do not have a smartphone and we DISCONNECT for the vacation period!!! What does this person know of your life and your vacation?… wow. I hate social media and all it intails when it becomes this… I’m sorry to hear about that… but happy you had a great time and that you are able to say no.

  81. Beth says:

    Curious– did the offender ever apologize??

  82. Alisha says:

    I would even say, ok fine you are asking for a favor – i mean who in this world doesn’t ask for favors from people (the blogging favors though go a bit far…) but to the point where they have more than 2 emails practically begging and being rude saying I need a respose from you, I want this favor but you NEED to respond to me.. yeah i would have said Shove it.. so very inspire that just “no” was sent. Imagine the person, sitting there.. wanting an explaination and probably thinking Amber is the rude one for saying no…

    Love this blog.

  83. Caz says:

    I know I’m super late to the party, but your post reminded me of this:

    http://www.steppingintojoy.com/did-you-know-that-no-is-a-complete-sentence/

  84. Joel says:

    I’m a huge fan of your blog. And that is it!