""So if you use them in January," LaMantia recalls being told, "you better hope there's nothing to exclaim for the rest of the year." The rule stuck. LaMantia still thinks about that rigid quota today. "I use exclamation points all the time in texts and emails. If you don't, the message sounds more stern," he says. "But I can't remember the last time I used one in a business article.""
"Strong feelings about the exclamation point aren't uncommon. People tend to either love it or loathe it; lean on it constantly, or avoid it religiously. "Personally, I use multiple, but at work I'll only use one," says a woman who works in HR at an investment bank in New York City, who wasn't cleared to speak publicly but said she couldn't resist chiming in on this topic."
Use of exclamation points varies widely and provokes strong reactions about tone, intention, and etiquette. Women tend to use exclamation points more frequently than men. Messages with exclamation points are perceived as warmer but potentially less analytically competent. Many professionals restrict exclamation usage in formal writing while using them in texts and emails to soften tone or convey friendliness. Individuals report metering or limiting exclamation points to set the right tone, lighten written communication, or avoid appearing unprofessional. Cultural and workplace norms shape punctuation choices and can influence judgments of professionalism and personality.
Read at Fast Company
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