Is it just me or is “gentle reminder” worse than “reminder”. (It may well just be me which is why I’m checking).

@ChrisJWilson not just you, I always feel like gentle reminder adds an undercurrent of passive aggressive “why haven’t you done it yet”.

@ChrisJWilson Americans never say "gentle reminder," but it certainly is common here in Malaysia.

@ChrisJWilson I definitely bristle more at the former.

@KyleEssary it was actually a Malaysian who sent this which prompted me but my Indian colleagues do it too. I know Brits can be very indirect/passive aggressive but still this hits me that way. I suspect it’s just trying to not be rude but actually ends up sounding worse (imo). We have a rule at worse, don’t try and sound less passive aggressive as you will always end up sounding more so!

@philbowell that or “hey, this might upset you so I need to highlight it’s ‘gentle’”.

@joshuapsteele @annahavron I’m glad to know this isn’t just me!

@ChrisJWilson It’s the standard phrase here, so it’s not passive aggressive. But I’m with you, it still feels that way to me as an outsider.