I have another work query. Here's my thing: My secretary is out today. I needed some dates docketed. Usually, I tell my secretary to docket the dates, and she tells the docket clerk, and I have no responsibility whatsoever. Which, for the record, is what I prefer.

But when she is out, I somehow have to communicate the docket dates. (I could wait until tomorrow, but that just seems silly.) So I email the docket clerk, give her the dates I want changed and/or added to the docket in what cases. I end the email with "Thanks."

She emails back, "No problem."

Now...is the "no problem" a reply letting me know, "Ok, I got your email, and understand your instructions?" Or is it a reply that I owe a reply to. Like should I again say thanks. Should I acknowledge her reply at all, or just ignore it b/c it's her job to docket dates when I tell her to?? Or is that bitchy and whatnot, and makes it seem like I think I'm better than her because I'm an attorney and she's staff (I really try to avoid that. Some of the attorneys here - in fact, most of the old school attorneys - will treat staff inherently different than they treat other attorneys, and I try to be cognizant of that, and then perhaps I overcompensate.

I fear I am giving this way more thought that it deserves, yet I don't know the right answer, and it's driving me crazy. Am I doing it wrong? Am I being rude? (I didn't reply.) What would Ms. Manners say (or is it Mrs. Manners?) Without knowing this answer, I am not able to concentrate on my work.