Beautifully put, Pat.

My single contribution here is to emphasise how easily it is to misunderstand written communications and mistakenly attribute rudeness to their author. I've done it numerous times and had it done to me. SMS's via mobile phone would be an even more intensified example. I don't say crucial stuff via SMS anymore and avoid doing it via email- the potential for things going pear shaped is too great. I'd rather spend the money on a personal phone call or, if possible, face to face. Remember living that way?

J.