I know you all mean well, but cut it off!
Tell me what you want already!
All joking aside, and suppressing my anger, it is very inefficient and disturbing. It is the same as someone tapping you on the shoulder while you are deep into work at your desk, and not stopping until you turn around. The ping in the actual workspace have been replaced with the “Hi”. Online, 24/7, just “Hi”. That “Hi” gives you no way out. Since I try to be a polite person I answer “Hi” right back. And my reply most of the time generates a “How are you?”. Which of course is also very polite, but you can clearly see where this is going. Because then, whoever has contacted me on the other side has to formulate whatever wanted, and that would keep me watching a chat box with “… is writing” for a while.
Honestly, way simpler. Start with “Hi!” + you first sentence or even the full request. I will be polite anyway but not staring at the chat box for 5 min while you develop your question is actually quite helpful, and efficient.
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