Returning from a late summer vacation and waving another season of sun farewell, please allow me the opportunity of sharing a favorite pastime – critiquing out of office replies.

There is no better time to climb up onto the pulpit and look down upon colleagues and peers of the tech industry than during the final vacation rush before we leap into the fall.

There is so much to read in between the lines when an e-mail reply comes boomeranging back at 100ms of lightning speed.

Exhibit A:

Short and sweet. This person is OUT. Indefinitely! They were on vacation the moment their laptop closed. It’s so bold and vague that you just have to respect it. Already on vacation and any immediate assistance will now be the Director’s problem – good luck!

Exhibit B:

Ok, this individual is excited to be working and on vacation. Double whammy of fun. At Disney no less! There will be a delay in response because they will be in line at Star Wars Land. No judgment there.

So, when Thanksgiving rolls around and your team is headed OOO, perhaps share a modicum of your expectations. Then let the joy of being let down pass over you like a warm summer breeze.