I wouldn’t dare defile Douglas Adam’s memory by not mentioning that you should keep a towel with you at all times, but my second contender is a surprisingly short three-parter:

  1. never lie.
  2. never tell the whole truth.
  3. never pass up a chance to use a real bathroom.
  • Joshi
    151·
    1 month ago

    If you don’t have time to do something right what makes you think you have time to do it twice?

    Respect other people’s time. When dealing with a busy person in a professional context;

    • Emails should be as short as possible while still conveying the needed information, don’t make a busy person excavate the relevant info from somewhere near the middle of the fifth paragraph.
    • Whenever possible phrase a question in a way that can be answered in one word.
    • Sockenklaus@sh.itjust.works
      7·
      1 month ago

      Whenever possible phrase a question in a way that can be answered in one word.

      That’s a good one! I would also add: When asked a question, determine whether this question can be properly answered in one word. If possible do it!

      This is particularly directed at my wife 💋

      • Joshi
        1·
        1 month ago

        Excellent, I’m going to add to this, even if the the answer justifies/requires an explanation put the answer first ie “Yes, long explanation” is vastly superior to “Long explanation, so yes”

    • InternetPerson@lemmings.world
      1·
      1 month ago

      When dealing with a busy person in a professional context;

      • Emails should be as short as possible while still conveying the needed information, don’t make a busy person excavate the relevant info from somewhere near the middle of the fifth paragraph.
      • Whenever possible phrase a question in a way that can be answered in one word.

      Not a fan of this. Feels like a result of over-optimization in a capitalistic, profti-driven society.

      We are humans. Not machines. So treat each other like that. If you like to write a couple of more words to express yourself or some issue in a way that feels representing, go for it. Doesn’t mean to escalate this into a novel, but it’s fine to take a pause and talk more.

      • Joshi
        1·
        1 month ago

        I think we mostly agree.

        For context I’m a doctor who is constantly pushing back against profit driven motives.

        Being time constrained is an effect of capitalism but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t real work to be done.

        People can and should take time out to express their personalities, hopes and frustrations and bond and be together in the workplace. That said, personal communication in the workplace and professional communication are different beasts.

        Not thinking about what you’re trying to say or what information you need leads to rambling tirades in person and paragraphs that could’ve been sentences in emails, this is not being a machine, it is wasting my time and the time of my patients(whose rambling tirades it is my pleasure to listen to😉)