Should I put a "lol" in my email to MD?

The MD at my firm just sent me - the intern - an email (for the first time) asking me to complete some simple tasks for him.

In it, he also included a joke at the end.

I'm debating if I should reply to the joke by saying something like "that's a good one" or "lol," but I don't want to come off as unprofessional. However, I would hate coming off as boring and disregarding the joke he made.

Any thoughts, monkeys?

38 Comments
 
Best Response

It's a test. Your MD is probably watching his inbox like a hawk right now, waiting for you to say something unprofessional so he can fire you and be like "who's laughing out loud now bitch" while you're cleaning your desk. My advice would be to send an email back telling him that while you appreciate his joke his unprofessionalism in the office has made you feel uncomfortable.

 

This just sent me into fits of laughter, and I was on a phone meeting...wish me luck explaining this one to my boss LOL

 

Respond with "That's a good one" or something that says you appreciate the joke and understand that it is one. I would stay away from "lol", but really I don't think he gives a fuck and you're reading way too far into it.

"There's no reason to be the richest man in the cemetery. You can't do business from there." - Colonel Sanders
 

Why would you not just write a relevant joke or funny comment back?

Why is normal human interaction so difficult to WSOers?

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Definitely just send this gif:

"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL
 

Just be a normal person. LOL is probably a bit childish to a senior, but that doesn't mean you have to suppress any sense of humor

Array
 

Your best bet is to reply back with a joke of your own.

"Good one boss, a real side splitter. Here is one of my own..

What is the difference between acne and a Catholic priest? The acne waits until they are 13 before cumming on their face."

If you receive an email from HR, it is most likely because your great humour has made you an office hero.

 

send nudes

You killed the Greece spread goes up, spread goes down, from Wall Street they all play like a freak, Goldman Sachs 'o beat.
 

Ahh to be young again...the thrill of the hunt. I envy you OP but we'll be sure to play this coolly. Make sure he knows that you appreciate him making the first move. Reply back with something flirty (but could still be taken as simply playful-- harmless even).

"Wow lol I haven't laughed like that in too long. You owe me a new button for my slacks mister"

With that image in the air, let him run with the ball from here. You know you have his attention now.

 

Necessitatibus expedita inventore distinctio perferendis. Consequatur atque dolore voluptatum voluptatum neque doloremque ipsum. Qui aspernatur debitis quam reiciendis molestias veniam dolores. Ullam atque ut harum et repellat aliquam.

Distinctio eum unde voluptatem aliquid quos delectus. Eos eos quas porro at. Voluptatem et ipsam perspiciatis at. Occaecati et iure dolores in at.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”