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Poll: Do you include apologies in your response when you can't accept a job request? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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Lingua 5B 
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 02:48
Member (2009)
English to Croatian
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Christopher Schröder wrote: Lingua 5B wrote:
Because I've been turned down? Sorry and unfortunately do not change that fact, they even feel slightly sarcastic (I'm not saying they are wrong). I'd prefer: I cannot help you at this time due to (list of reasons), whishing you a nice day. No need to apologize. OK. Maybe it's a cultural thing. Not apologising would be very rude in my country.
I can’t speak on behalf of an entire culture/country (you obviously can), but in my book it’s only wrong if someone actually did something wrong. I’d be doing nothing but apologizing all day long if I were to reply to every random “Hello dear, kindly reply” job offer.
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Lingua 5B wrote:
I can’t speak on behalf of an entire culture/country (you obviously can), but in my book it’s only wrong if someone actually did something wrong. I’d be doing nothing but apologizing all day long if I were to reply to every random “Hello dear, kindly reply” job offer.
Don’t you think cultural awareness is part of our job even if not part of being human?
Anyway, apart from being basic good manners, in my culture you would actually feel apologetic for disappointing someone.
Maybe that’s why you get so many offers like that. I don’t.
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IrinaN
United States
Local time: 19:48
English to Russian
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| Sometimes sorry is an honest sorry | Jan 10 |
In 30+ years of my career I was forced to decline several offers that have been either downright great or definitely worth at least checking out, mostly due to overload or being on the other side of the ocean at the moment, so I did indeed was sorry and tried to add a few most respectful words about possible future cooperation. Sometimes I would never hear from the client again but more than once it came to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Sometimes people skills come f... See more In 30+ years of my career I was forced to decline several offers that have been either downright great or definitely worth at least checking out, mostly due to overload or being on the other side of the ocean at the moment, so I did indeed was sorry and tried to add a few most respectful words about possible future cooperation. Sometimes I would never hear from the client again but more than once it came to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Sometimes people skills come first. I got that from my early tour guide experience. Charm and open up the crowd, and they will be yours to rule . The same was and still is super useful for my interpretation assignments with the new clients. The audience can be friendly and forgiving (to the extent, of course, a very fine line here), or it can ruin you over a simplest mishap. ▲ Collapse
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| Apologies depend on specific parties. | Jan 10 |
I actually owe an apology my clients whom I have been working with for a long time.
If you are new, and I am not available for your request, my answer is simple as "Thank you for the inquiry. I am unavailable now, and I hope we will collaborate soon." Is this an apology?
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Lingua 5B
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 02:48
Member (2009)
English to Croatian
+ ...
Apology counts in person. For instance, there are companies that send a rejection letter to tousands of applicants “Unfortunately, at this time, we are sorry…”. Is this automated canned reply that’s been sent to thousands really an apology? No, it’s not. Just like a Happy New Year email sent to thousands is not a really Happy New Year addressed at you.
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Radmila Sobacic wrote: Excellent question! I used to apologize, but then I realized it positioned me in a subordinate role in the conversation. There are ways to maintain politeness without compromising your professional demeanor. So, I would rather say: Thank you for the request (showing my gratitude and keeping the polite relationship with a client), I am currently not available, so I'm sending the contacts of my colleagues who can assist you. Every now and then I catch myself saying something like "Unfortunately I'm working on another project..." But that's not unfortunate, it's a great thing, so I doesn't really make sense 
Or you can say: This time I do not agree with your offer ($) for this task. I will not be able to work on this project.
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| No wonder wars happen | Jan 11 |
Who knew this would be such an issue? No wonder wars happen.
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Christopher Schröder wrote:
Anyway, apart from being basic good manners, in my culture you would actually feel apologetic for disappointing someone.
Maybe that’s why you get so many offers like that. I don’t.
This is also valid in Italy, France and Spain, oh and in the USA.
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Lingua 5B
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 02:48
Member (2009)
English to Croatian
+ ...
| Assumptions, assumptions | Jan 11 |
Christopher Schröder wrote: Lingua 5B wrote:
I can’t speak on behalf of an entire culture/country (you obviously can), but in my book it’s only wrong if someone actually did something wrong. I’d be doing nothing but apologizing all day long if I were to reply to every random “Hello dear, kindly reply” job offer. Don’t you think cultural awareness is part of our job even if not part of being human? Anyway, apart from being basic good manners, in my culture you would actually feel apologetic for disappointing someone. Maybe that’s why you get so many offers like that. I don’t.
Unfortunately, in my culture we wouldn’t assume things based on a very limited number of details on a message board. I am saddened I had to be the one to inform you of this, I apologize.
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Yes, usually, but boy does it get tiring having to write the same email over and over again.
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Baran Keki
Türkiye
Local time: 03:48
Member
English to Turkish
Gerard Barry wrote:
Yes, usually, but boy does it get tiring having to write the same email over and over again.
I thought you were a fired in-house translator who hated translation.
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Lingua 5B
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 02:48
Member (2009)
English to Croatian
+ ...
Gerard Barry wrote:
Yes, usually, but boy does it get tiring having to write the same email over and over again.
Have a canned reply ready and then just copy/paste. You are not an employee, and such not obliged to even reply or justify anything.
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| What's your point? | Jan 12 |
Baran Keki wrote: Gerard Barry wrote:
Yes, usually, but boy does it get tiring having to write the same email over and over again. I thought you were a fired in-house translator who hated translation.
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| Actually, I am an employee. I work in-house:) | Jan 12 |
Lingua 5B wrote: Gerard Barry wrote:
Yes, usually, but boy does it get tiring having to write the same email over and over again. Have a canned reply ready and then just copy/paste. You are not an employee, and such not obliged to even reply or justify anything.
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Lingua 5B wrote:
You are not an employee, and such not obliged to even reply or justify anything.
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