Go and read Historiann's post about an obnoxious exchange with a student, Ummm, you e-mailed *me* for advice, remember?, and be sure to read the comment thread.
I agree with commenter Dr. Crazy that the emailer was being sexist as well as rude when one of his ass-covering excuses for being rude was that he wasn't asking Historiann out on a date, which is a weirdly inappropriate reply. Would he have said the same to a male professor? Why would being civil and acknowledging the humanity of the other person be confined to trying to get a date?
Anglachel
1 comment:
Beyond the dating, I think I have the experience relating to this exchange.
When I get an email such as that, I recommend my office hours. The request for bios is unclear, contextless, no personal information is available, etc. You don't help when you try to help in such a case.
When rude emails are sent by students (a rare occasion), I don't respond. When it continues for a while, I'll suggest the person go to the chair, the dean, Bush (indeed, he is just 4 blocks away).
I have to say that most students are well behaved. Once in five year a female student tries to get something by being suggestive; I play dumb.
In 25 years I had no complaints. There were two threats to which I responded: by all means, be my guest complain and a lot.
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