So here it started. The subject line of an email caught my eyes, it read, “I’m shocked that I haven’t heard from you!” I felt immediately so uncomfortable and angry. It was like a slap in my face, a kick in my gut. It is so accusatory. I know, you might say, “Well, it was just you being sensitive or you were triggered by something. You should bring this up with your therapist.” Oh yes, I can’t agree more. 

Out of curiosity, I opened the email and read through it. You heard me, I read through it! You might ask why I would do such a thing, don’t I have anything better to do? I guessed I asked myself those very same questions. 

While I was reading it, I couldn’t help but felt attacked, tortured by their words, and phrases in that message. The message sender definitely triggered guilt and shame in me. Here is a passage from it:

“I sincerely though [the typo is not mine. It was original!] that you were the type of person who cared about having a healthy home for yourself and your family... and about beautifying your home with natural, sustainable elements....I really hope I wasn’t wrong about you. So I’m opening the door for you to prove me wrong!”

I found the content of this message is so offensive-- wording, how it attacks me, how it guilts me, etc. There is a part of me that understands that this is simply one of marketing strategies--guilting you, shaming you into doing something they/a company want(s) you to do. But, in my humble opinion, I do not think this marketing strategy is effective, neither does it do the company any favor. The language in this message is very emotionally charged. It is so inhumane and disrespectful. What kind of response do they (the message sender) hope to receive? I don’t know about you, but I would be surprised if any of its readers would respond to the action called in this message at all. 

Amazingly, I did respond. I replied to the email address of the sender, Vladislav Davidzon, Founder and CEO, Open Permaculture School, expressing my opinion on the message. I, then, got an automatic email from Customer Happiness Team telling me that I’ve just sent a message to an e-mail address they did not actively monitor. Nice! 

Dear Vladislav Davidzon, I hoped that the email was sent by mass emarketing app because if I were to be a CEO of such organization, I would want to know what I put my name on. If a person had drafted this message, I very much hope he/she would be sent to Nonviolent Communication training! 

I sincerely wish I and we (as customers) are treated with more respect than this. 

Here is a copy of the original message: ........................

Hi Oanh, For a while now, I’ve been telling you about a collection of FREE checklists that you can start using right away to make a HUGE difference in the health and sustainability of your home. I’ve been showing you how using these FREE checklists can improve your garden yields, help you virtually eliminate waste, and empower you to enjoy a more natural living space. (By the way, these FREE checklists can also help you save a TON of money too!) Click here to get your FREE checklists now! But so far... I haven’t heard from you! I sincerely though that you were the type of person who cared about having a healthy home for yourself and your family... and about beautifying your home with natural, sustainable elements. I really hope I wasn’t wrong about you. So I’m opening the door for you to prove me wrong! I’m giving you one last chance to get your hands on these FREE checklists at absolutely no cost. But fair warning- If you don’t take action soon, this offer is going to be gone forever! Do yourself a favor, and download these valuable FREE checklists now! 

Click here to get your FREE checklists! I look forward to helping you enjoy a more beautiful and healthier home... naturally! Vladislav -- Vladislav Davidzon, Founder and CEO, Open Permaculture School Regenerative Leadership Institute - regenerative.com - openpermaculture.com Create A Meaningful Life Doing What You Love World's Largest Sustainable Living School (250,000+ enrolled!) 9450 SW Gemini Drive, Suite 17760, Beaverton, OR 97008 E-mail subscription changes? https://www.regenerative.com/pref

Here is a copy of a reply message to my message: ..............