Definition: A series of back and forth emails from friends about a specific issue or argument. Email fights typically begin with the intention of talking through a problem, but can escalate quickly into nasty and impersonal messages. Emails lack the nonverbal communication clues that exist when you speak with someone in person, and as a result the messages that are exchanged get easily misinterpreted.
One or both friends may unload a lot of frustration in their emails during this type of exchange, and in doing so fail to listen to the other side. The result is that the problem (and level of anger and hurt) escalates. With an email fight, people accuse the other person of doing things without allowing for that person to explain, which further complicates an argument. True resolution comes when both sides are willing to listen and work though their issues.
More about resolving conflicts with friends:
Examples:
"I tried to send my friend a note to tell her how I feel, and instead we ended up having an email fight."
"I wanted to mention how hurt I was when my friend ignored me at the party, but she denied it and then we got into a huge email fight. Now, we're not even talking."
