Early in my teaching career email was a great way for students to communicate with you. Though as email usage became more and more commonplace it did indeed become downright bizarre what students felt free to express in emails, as did the frequent demand for immediate responses.
Note to all college students: I certainly never expected my ass to be kissed as a professor, and in fact was quite happy for students to not give me great deference, but you win nothing by being an asshole.