Emails That I Do Not Like to Receive

There have been numerous articles and blog posts about how to properly write an email, or how to properly ask a technical question. These seem to be rarely read or they are simply misunderstood.  So let me tell you about the types of emails I receive with seemingly greater frequency, and which I completely abhor.

Message Body: +Joel

What they're saying:  Rather than provide a clear and succinct explanation why I'm including you in this email thread, it's my expectation that you will read the 15 messages and replies below and discern the issue being discussed.  You are to also guess why I'm including you in this thread, and if there is an action item for you in the message below, it's expected that you will find it and take action immediately.

Sentiment implied:  My time is more important than yours.

Message Body: +[someone I don't know]

What they're saying:  Rather than provide a clear and succinct explanation why I'm including this new person in this email thread, it's my expectation that they will read the 15 messages and replies below and discern the issue being discussed.  They are to also guess why I'm including them in this thread, and if there is an action item for them in the message below, it's expected that they will find it and take action immediately.  Additionally, I am choosing to subject everyone else to a barrage of followup emails in the near future, as this new recipient will surely reply all, and ask numerous questions about this topic and why they were included on the email in the first place.

Sentiment implied:  My time is more important than the person's whom I've added to this email thread.  And everyone else's, for that matter.

Message Body: Joel, since [one member of your team] is on vacation, can you please help with the issue below?

What they're saying:  It's possible that you don't have any context in the long-running issue which is discussed in the 15 messages and replies below.  I was too busy to provide a succinct explanation or even ask if you're familiar with the issues below, so can you please read all of the messages below and guess at what further information may be required?

Sentiment implied:  My time is more important than yours.

Any time I receive emails like this in the future, I'll respond back to the authors with a link to this succinct and lucid blog post.  Maybe I'll even include an explanation why I'm sending the link!