"It wasn't until I helped my college-aged brother hack (er, set up) his inbox and explained some of the nuances of this ubiquitous method of communication that I realized how many unwritten rules of email have developed over the years."

"Some of them are pretty obvious, but they’re worth repeating (because I still see people breaking them from time to time). And others aren’t immediately intuitive—but, if universally followed, would help us all better send and respond to email.

"So, I’m putting them in writing. Review the list, and repeat after me: 'I do solemnly swear that I will follow the rules of email forevermore.'"