<p>I know this is a stupid question, but I just want to be practical. I've emailed several adults to ask a question and have gotten some responses, but I'm not sure if I should reply a thank you to them to express my gratitude, or just read it and be done with it and not add to their brimming inbox with such a pointless reply.</p>
<p>It’s the thought that counts. </p>
<p>Being polite is never a waste of time.</p>
<p>I still think it’s best to shoot a short “thanks.” Not much more than that is needed. (Oh, but always avoid “thanking you in advance.” That is rude in my book.) 
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<p>I think a “Thank you” would show that you appreciated their help; it wouldn’t be a waste of time.</p>
<p>Sending them a thank you in response is not only polite and nice to hear, but it also acknowledges that you received the email and that they answered your question. If they take the time to answer you, then it doesn’t hurt to take the time to respond. It’ll take a second for them to read it and delete it or just move on, so I wouldn’t worry about cluttering their inbox.</p>
<p>“Okay, thank you!”</p>
<p>is my typical generic one, but I always do send one for the above reason, it just makes it awkward for them if they don’t know if you received the message</p>
<p>@dyiu13 </p>
<p>How is thanking in advance rude? I have been known to use that in my email inquiries. Is that considered bad etiquette? :(( </p>
<p>Thank you for your replies everyone! 
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<p>
I guess it’s because you’re thanking them for something they haven’t agreed to do, which is presumptuous. </p>
<p>“Thank you in advance for sending over the $240,000 needed for my education, sir.”*</p>
<p>*Conditional thanks; to be withdrawn if the $240,000 is not received.</p>
<p>I thank them for thinking over or reading my email which they have done if they interpret the email’s meaning sequentially as the bottom coming after everything that precedes it.</p>
<p>It’s just a personal preference, but I do not like getting emails that just say thank you because they can take a while to open (have to load or wait a long time for the inbox to open once you see that there is new mail from such and such) and I might get a little anxious about what is said in the email when it simply is just a thank you. Yeah, I’m a shy person and while I can muster up the courage to do emails, they still scare me.</p>
<p>Thanking me in advance rubs me the wrong way. I don’t know that I’d call it rude necessarily, but it leaves a bad taste.</p>
<p>When I thank someone in advance, I typically will say "thank you in advance for any assistance that you can offer/provide( paraphrasing, but I’m sure you get the jist). Wow. I’m shocked that having manners & being considerate would rub anyone the wrong way. </p>
<p>I have also taught my dd that it’s in good taste to thank others when corresponding via email. Has good taste gone the way of the dodo?</p>
<p>Also make sure to use proper english, spelling, and formality. And make sure you have checked the syllabus first before asking any questions. :-)</p>