Y'all Come Back Now

I'm from the South -- the same lovely city as the infamous Paula Deen -- and every now and then I appreciate finding someone in the D.C. area who speaks my language. That's right. I say "y'all."

So I was a bit surprised when I recently received an out-of-office message from a contact that began, "Hey. How y'all are?"

While I don't use the word in exactly that way, I did appreciate the pleasant greeting. Cheerful e-mails brighten my day, and I'm betting others feel the same. Such responses give technology a personal touch. The next time you set your automatic reply, or even respond directly to a colleague or friend, consider your word choice. Thanks y'all!