The Last Word
Is it really necessary?26 total reviews
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I suppose it is not so much getting the last word in as satisfying the person who has sent you a compliment. I have noticed that people are often sensitive these days and take other people's opinions personally. Saying goodbye in our family takes forever, there are hugs, kisses, waves that are followed up by texts and emojis! We are conscious of making sure we leave on a good note. I think this is the same with thanking people for our reviews, we want to be sure that we have appropriately thanked someone.
Having the last word is about having the satisfaction that we have fulfilled our obligation, rather than one-up-man-ship me-thinks.
An interesting post and I have yet to experience AI. Although my daughter uses Alexa and it drives me bonkers in their house! Love Dolly x x x
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2025
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I suppose it is not so much getting the last word in as satisfying the person who has sent you a compliment. I have noticed that people are often sensitive these days and take other people's opinions personally. Saying goodbye in our family takes forever, there are hugs, kisses, waves that are followed up by texts and emojis! We are conscious of making sure we leave on a good note. I think this is the same with thanking people for our reviews, we want to be sure that we have appropriately thanked someone.
Having the last word is about having the satisfaction that we have fulfilled our obligation, rather than one-up-man-ship me-thinks.
An interesting post and I have yet to experience AI. Although my daughter uses Alexa and it drives me bonkers in their house! Love Dolly x x x
Comment Written 12-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2025
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I agree with you about the thank yous. It's the you're welcomes I feel are unnecessary, but only in written communications.
Comment from Wendy G
Jim, I hear you! I have often wondered if it was a cultural thing to reply "You're welcome", (because I don't say it, or only very rarely ... maybe) and I have sometimes felt rude by not saying "Thank you" again. But the conversation has to stop somewhere otherwise it's like
"Thank you for saying "Thank You" ", "Oh, you are very welcome." "Well, thanks again!" ""Don't mention it. You're welcome" and there is nowhere to stop at all. I loved your humorous chat with the Poe Assistant. Point proven (many times!) Well done.
Wendy
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2025
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Jim, I hear you! I have often wondered if it was a cultural thing to reply "You're welcome", (because I don't say it, or only very rarely ... maybe) and I have sometimes felt rude by not saying "Thank you" again. But the conversation has to stop somewhere otherwise it's like
"Thank you for saying "Thank You" ", "Oh, you are very welcome." "Well, thanks again!" ""Don't mention it. You're welcome" and there is nowhere to stop at all. I loved your humorous chat with the Poe Assistant. Point proven (many times!) Well done.
Wendy
Comment Written 11-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2025
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I don't really have a problem with it in verbal communications because it's so quick and doesn't waste anyone's time, but in written communications, it just becomes unnecessary inbox clutter, and you're right, there are those who even respond to the you're welcome with more. What a waste of time!
Yes, Poe can be a riot to chat with. He's rather long-winded, though, in addition to having the last word.
Thanks for your review, Wendy. No need to say you're welcome : )
Comment from Neonewman
Oh! I am guilty. Lol. Working in the food industry, my pleasure, has been engraved into our brains. I'm no Poe, but feel the need to respond to thank you, with "you're welcome," or "my pleasure." I am cracking up over here. Now I will be testing the waters to see if I can back off, or continue on.
I don't believe I'll speak with Poe as I think it would be too much fun to quit. Great work, Jim.
God bless,
Steve
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2025
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Oh! I am guilty. Lol. Working in the food industry, my pleasure, has been engraved into our brains. I'm no Poe, but feel the need to respond to thank you, with "you're welcome," or "my pleasure." I am cracking up over here. Now I will be testing the waters to see if I can back off, or continue on.
I don't believe I'll speak with Poe as I think it would be too much fun to quit. Great work, Jim.
God bless,
Steve
Comment Written 11-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2025
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I can certainly understand how they drill that into you in the restaurant industry. I still say it to folks in verbal conversation, just not in written unless I have something further to add to it that makes it worth their time to read it.
I've had a few good chats with Poe. I use it for all my novel research, and he's very helpful and an extreme timesaver for me. But occasionally, I'll get into it with him about politics or climate change or something like that. He's much better informed than most people you engage on such subjects.
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That is interesting, Jim. I am barely scratching the surface when it comes to things such as this. I'm not opposed to trying new things. Does it cost to join, Poe?
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It doesn't cost money, but you won't have access to all the available bots. I used it for a month or so before starting to feel guilty for all the free info I was getting, so I took out a paid subscription to it, which wasn't very much--maybe $80 for a year. But I use it for all my story research, for the pictures it generates for me for my postings, and as pretty much a replacement for Google much of the time. I'm definitely getting my money's worth.
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I may have to look into it. I love that it generates pictures. I have hell trying to find pics on google. Lol.
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Yeah, I've practically given up on that because the bots do such a good job. Just be specific and keep tailoring your request until it gets it to your liking. Say something like:
image of a 30-year-old attractive brunette woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing a business suit, sitting across a desk from a 60-year-old man in a blue suit who wears glasses.
The more precise you are, the better.
I also use a face merge free online program to merge the faces of my main characters onto the ones the bots generate to try to keep them somewhat consistent in the pictures for each chapter. I enjoy preparing the pictures.
Comment from LJbutterfly
When I started reading this post, I wondered what the problem was. I never say "You're welcome." I just thought other writers are more polite than I am. No big deal. But when I read your humorous conversation with Poe Assistant, I thought about how I feel about people and the last word in other circumstances.
I don't mind writers having the last word on this site. Where I HATE it is on the phone. The conversation is over and just as you're about to hang up, the other party says something that requires a response. You give the response and say, "Okay, I'll talk to you later," and they say, "Yes. Maybe by then you can tell me...." or whatever. And the conversation won't end.
Now you have me ranting. I truly enjoyed this fun post.
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2025
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When I started reading this post, I wondered what the problem was. I never say "You're welcome." I just thought other writers are more polite than I am. No big deal. But when I read your humorous conversation with Poe Assistant, I thought about how I feel about people and the last word in other circumstances.
I don't mind writers having the last word on this site. Where I HATE it is on the phone. The conversation is over and just as you're about to hang up, the other party says something that requires a response. You give the response and say, "Okay, I'll talk to you later," and they say, "Yes. Maybe by then you can tell me...." or whatever. And the conversation won't end.
Now you have me ranting. I truly enjoyed this fun post.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2025
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Oh, that is so true, Lorraine. My wife is guilty of that. Just as a conversation is dying down and people are ready to leave or hang up if on the phone, she'll mention one last thing, which starts it right up again. Aaargh!
Thanks for this great review.
Comment from Begin Again
I don't think you have to worry about any of that with the younger generation. You will be lucky if you get a thank you...especially in customer service. In my generation manners were engrained in us and old habits are difficult to break. But I do understand what you are saying because I am always backed up in my responses.
Smiles, Carol
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2025
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I don't think you have to worry about any of that with the younger generation. You will be lucky if you get a thank you...especially in customer service. In my generation manners were engrained in us and old habits are difficult to break. But I do understand what you are saying because I am always backed up in my responses.
Smiles, Carol
Comment Written 11-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2025
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You're right about the younger generation, Carol. Thank you notes? What are those?
I put in a request to Tom today to consider eliminating the system-produced 6 star notes. I've always just thanked people in my replies for those. Just more clutter in the inbox.
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I get so far behind on my regular thank yous but I always try to send the six star ones first.... but I agree about the Your Welcome...that is an extra note.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
I agree 100%. The 'last word' people are infuriating (at times).
In the same vein are visitors (who you are glad they came by) but after saying it was time that they left and actually leaving are hours and hours. (it seems). I learned to, when walking them to the door) never, ever touch on a new subject, even if they bring it up.
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2025
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I agree 100%. The 'last word' people are infuriating (at times).
In the same vein are visitors (who you are glad they came by) but after saying it was time that they left and actually leaving are hours and hours. (it seems). I learned to, when walking them to the door) never, ever touch on a new subject, even if they bring it up.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2025
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Right you are about that, Wayne. My wife is guilty of that, and it drives me up a wall. We seem to know a lot of blabbermouths, and it doesn't take much to reengage them. Aaargh!
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Jim, I hope we are starting a backlash or creating ill feelings here, but I couldn't agree with you more on people here feeling the need to reply, "You're welcome," when you thank them for a review. What I have begun doing with six-star reviews is to thank them in the response to review box, then I ignore the second step of thanking them further when I have a message that I received six stars from them. I know this, I read the review, and I thanked them so I need not thank them again. We do a lot of overcommunicating on this site, and I tend to be one of few words (except for this review, apparently).
"Why, my dear interlocutor..." It really said that?
Well, my AI program has manners, but it never tries to get the last word. Do you think the program was playing along because it believed that's what you wanted in order to write your essay? It's scary how real their reactions can be sometimes, and I've caught myself thanking the bot for it's help; you know, like it cares!
A fun piece to read, Jim.
xo
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2025
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Jim, I hope we are starting a backlash or creating ill feelings here, but I couldn't agree with you more on people here feeling the need to reply, "You're welcome," when you thank them for a review. What I have begun doing with six-star reviews is to thank them in the response to review box, then I ignore the second step of thanking them further when I have a message that I received six stars from them. I know this, I read the review, and I thanked them so I need not thank them again. We do a lot of overcommunicating on this site, and I tend to be one of few words (except for this review, apparently).
"Why, my dear interlocutor..." It really said that?
Well, my AI program has manners, but it never tries to get the last word. Do you think the program was playing along because it believed that's what you wanted in order to write your essay? It's scary how real their reactions can be sometimes, and I've caught myself thanking the bot for it's help; you know, like it cares!
A fun piece to read, Jim.
xo
Comment Written 11-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2025
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I haven't really had any negative reactions to this so far. Most seem to agree.
I agree with you about the 6-star thanks, Pam. I've pretty much always done that unless I realize I forgot to thank them during the reply.
Yes, the bot really said that. Isn't that a hoot? I don't think he was playing along until a little bit at the end. Once before, in a chat a while ago, I told him he didn't need to reply further, but he kept doing it until I think I finally got him to stop. It wasn't easy, though. That's where I got the idea to use this conversation in the essay, because I was fairly certain he didn't learn from that previous exchange.
I have to confess, I've thanked the bots too on occasion!
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Oh Jim, the best part of this is you taking all that time (far more than that taken by a hundred "you're welcomes") to chat with a bot on the subject! I love it and it's very funny. But, at the same time, the thought of speaking at length (or even briefly) to a bot drives me insane. And I do like politeness so feel able to excuse anyone wanting the last word. It's usually pretty short and better than WhatsApp when people simply refuse to go away. All that said, you definitely prove your point in your characteristically meticulous way and made this into an entertaining post. Well done! Debbie
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2025
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Oh Jim, the best part of this is you taking all that time (far more than that taken by a hundred "you're welcomes") to chat with a bot on the subject! I love it and it's very funny. But, at the same time, the thought of speaking at length (or even briefly) to a bot drives me insane. And I do like politeness so feel able to excuse anyone wanting the last word. It's usually pretty short and better than WhatsApp when people simply refuse to go away. All that said, you definitely prove your point in your characteristically meticulous way and made this into an entertaining post. Well done! Debbie
Comment Written 11-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2025
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Thank you, Debbie. Glad you enjoyed it. It was a very amusing chat I had with the bot. I cracked up through the last half of it each time he refused to quit talking.
I use these bots for most of my novel research now because they can very quickly get me the information I need, and I can ask followup questions without repeating the entire context, which they remember through the entire chat. And I can come back days later with an additional question on the subject, and as long as I've brought up the original chat to ask my question in, they still remember the context, and I don't have to repeat anything. Very handy.
Comment from Iza Deleanu
I got your point, as I have tested this with ChatGPT and Copilot. Thank you for reminding me what creature of habit we are:) and how fake politeness is second nature. Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2025
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I got your point, as I have tested this with ChatGPT and Copilot. Thank you for reminding me what creature of habit we are:) and how fake politeness is second nature. Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2025
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I think all the bots probably do it, even though, like Poe, they don't seem to admit it. It is fun to chat with them, though, even if they always have the last word.
Comment from Mrs. KT
A stellar and pertinent write, Jim!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your perspective, but I had to smile because I have wondered, as of late, why I even bother with expressing the "First Word" as opposed to expressing the "Last Word."
I find myself often wanting to initiate a discussion, and then, for a plethora of reasons, I back off and remain mute. My beloved husband of nearly 46 years is a structural engineer, and if I've learned anything from him it's his directive, "Don't go looking for trouble!" Hah! Sometimes that works...sometimes!
You've done a wonderful service to your readership, Jim!
Thank you for sharing!
fondly,
diane
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2025
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A stellar and pertinent write, Jim!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your perspective, but I had to smile because I have wondered, as of late, why I even bother with expressing the "First Word" as opposed to expressing the "Last Word."
I find myself often wanting to initiate a discussion, and then, for a plethora of reasons, I back off and remain mute. My beloved husband of nearly 46 years is a structural engineer, and if I've learned anything from him it's his directive, "Don't go looking for trouble!" Hah! Sometimes that works...sometimes!
You've done a wonderful service to your readership, Jim!
Thank you for sharing!
fondly,
diane
Comment Written 11-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2025
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I hear what you're saying, diane. Sometimes it's better not to engage because you're just inviting trouble. Especially when it deals with politics or religion in which you can never persuade someone else to your point of view no matter how good your arguments.
Thanks for your thoughtful review and those 6 stars too. Much appreciated.
