Why I’ll Never Trust Auto-Correct in a Work Email Again
The Lesson :
“Trust your instincts, not your phone. Especially when sending emails about clowns, clients, or beef.”
It started with a deadline, a donut, and a dangerously overconfident thumbs.
I was late.
Not “oops-I-snoozed” late.
More like “why is my laptop in the freezer and where is my dignity” kind of late.
My manager, Claire, had been waiting all weekend for my feedback on a client proposal. So I rolled out of bed Monday morning, coffee in one hand, phone in the other, and started typing out an email from the Gmail app. Easy, right?
Except my phone’s auto-correct had a personal vendetta.
The Draft I Meant to Send:
Subject: Client Proposal Feedback
“Hi Claire,
Just reviewed the doc. Everything looks great! I think the client will be pleased. Let me know if you need anything else.
Best regards,
Alex”
Simple. Safe. Boring.
But that’s not what went out.
The Email I Actually Sent:
Subject: Client Proposal Feedback
“Hi Claire,
Just revolted the dog. Everything looks greasy! I think the clown will be peeled. Let me know if you need anything elf.
Beef regards,
Axl”
Beef. Regards.
To Claire, my manager who still signs her emails with “Warmly, Claire 🌸.”
The Immediate Fallout
Within 30 seconds, I got a reply:
“Alex… are you okay?
Also, should I be concerned that a clown is being peeled??”
Then:
- The design lead replied: “10/10 email. Can’t wait to see the peeled clown at Q3 planning.”
- The client somehow got forwarded the message and responded: “This is the most honest corporate communication I’ve ever read.”
- HR dropped a “😬” in Slack.
And Claire?
She updated her Slack name to:
Claire (Client Peeled Dept.)
The Long-Term Consequences
The phrase “beef regards” is now our official inside joke.
- It’s on a mug.
- It’s on someone’s screensaver.
- I got a Christmas card signed “Beef Regards, Claire 🎄🐄”
And the worst part?
Auto-correct still thinks “Best regards” is wrong.
The Lesson (Shareable Quote):
“Trust your instincts, not your phone. Especially when sending emails about clowns, clients, or beef.”
