I assume that most of you are unaware that in addition to being Chairman of The FENG, I am also president of the Save The Nauga Society.
I have been actively involved in trying to save the nauga from extinction for many years. While naugas existed in most parts of the world in large numbers, over the years they have been hunted for their hides for use in making furniture. In my youth, my parents had chairs and a couch covered in material made from naugas. These cute little creatures have very tough skin and the product that is made from it is, of course, called Naugahyde.
While one can’t argue with the durability of furniture covered in Naugahyde, these creatures are now at risk of extinction in the wild. I hope all of you will join with me in boycotting manufacturers who buy the skins of wild naugas. Naugas are also raised domestically and although it is a shame to see so many of them sacrificed for our seating pleasure, I suppose it is okay. I hope you won’t mind if all of my emails from this point forward include things like: Boycott furniture manufacturers who use Naugahyde! Save the nauga!
The Save the Nauga Society is a long running Bud family spoof. The purpose of bringing it up tonight is to highlight the importance of separating your personal passions from your business email. I hope you will agree that my including something about the Save the Nauga Society in every message I send out would make me look silly. (And, I can’t afford to look silly as I am a very serious guy.)
I have been at various times over the years been taken aback by the things that folks routinely include at the end of their emails. I suppose I should also mention that I am not a big fan of bumper stickers either.
Religion and politics are two topics that you should generally not discuss with strangers, unless the purpose of your conversation is specifically that. Debate on all topics is a well respected American tradition. (Even LOUD arguments.) However, if you are engaged in a business discussion, these are areas that can easily ruin a perfectly good relationship. One just never knows where the other party stands and it is generally not relevant to doing business with them.
Ending your messages with prayers or thoughtful quotes is also not something I recommend. I know your heart is in the right place, and personally I have great respect for those who believe deeply in anything, it just isn’t stuff you should necessarily share with strangers.
I hope that all of you will at some point in your lives, if you haven’t already, work hard for a worthy cause. It may be your religious organization or a politician in whom you have great faith. These are activities that I have always found to be personally rewarding.
I would just suggest that you exercise due caution in who you tell about them, and how you tell them. Email is probably not the right place.
Regards, Matt
