[Misc] A Question of Etiquette

[darkwolf666]

No, not the follow up to a popular sports programme, but a genuine question.

For many a year, as taught to me at school, when I write a letter (quaint) or send an email to an organisation or body whose recipient I don't know I always start with...

Dear Sir / Madam...

Now in these days of gender neutrality, gender transfer, etc., how should I start my missive so I don't inadvertently upset anyone?

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

I think "Hey Dude, how's it hanging?" seems popular, but with less punctuation.

 

[drew]

Hi.

 

[Icy Gull]

“Hey” and then the first name seems to be the go to. I am too old to do that though

 

[Is it PotG?]

Simply start with " So, .......".

 

[Live by the sea]

I send hundreds of E mails a month, always dear sir or Madam , I’ve never had anyone reply to me offended in any way.

 

[Berty23]

“It was literally like...” is a solid start.

 

[RossyG]

I’d start with Dear Sir. You’re not intending to cause offence and is some weirdo decides to take it, that’s their problem.

 

[Bry Nylon]

"Totes awks" is my daughter's 'go to' in this sort of situation.

Hope that like totally helps? Yeh?

Whatev's,

Bry

 

[MattBackHome]

Darling fascist bully boy,

 

[darkwolf666]

Some very helpful suggestions, I particularly like Hey Dude, how's it hanging, though feel this might cause offence to women, transgender men and those with a small penis!

On s similar vein (oh, er missus), how do you sign off a letter or email.

Regards, kind regards, yours sincerely, etc.

Me I tend to go with cheers, for people I know, which always went down well with the Chief Superintendent...

 

[Bakero]

Nothing wrong with Dear Sir/Madam, though it does seem a bit formal for me in many cases when emailing. I often go for a Good morning/afternoon.

 

[Bakero]

Some very helpful suggestions, I particularly like Hey Dude, how's it hanging, though feel this might cause offence to women, transgender men and those with a small penis!

On s similar vein (oh, er missus), how do you sign off a letter or email.

Regards, kind regards, yours sincerely, etc.

Me I tend to go with cheers, for people I know, which always went down well with the Chief Superintendent...

Cheers if you know them well. Kind regards if you don't. A plain regards always seems a bit terse.

 

[Swansman]

"Hi Paul!"

 

[Icy Gull]

I guess “Yo” is a bit passe now?

 

[Greg Bobkin]

No, not the follow up to a popular sports programme, but a genuine question.

For many a year, as taught to me at school, when I write a letter (quaint) or send an email to an organisation or body whose recipient I don't know I always start with...

Dear Sir / Madam...

Now in these days of gender neutrality, gender transfer, etc., how should I start my missive so I don't inadvertently upset anyone?

Whenever I have to send an email to a generic address, I try to find a name of someone who works there – one who seems the most relevant to the reason for my email – and send it there. Failing that, I address it to the specific department. Failing THAT, I would resort to a simple 'Hello'. Although that can get mistaken for spam and binned straight away, hence the reason I go with one of the other approaches...

 

[sparkie]

"Greetings, Earthling" should suffice.

 

[portlock seagull]

Formal = Dear Sir, yours faithfully or Dear John, yours sincerely e.g. in your situation, that’s appropriate.
Informal = Hello John, regards (if don’t know person yet)...all this ‘kind’ regards, ‘best’ regards is really naff and unnecessary. It’s become normalised though.
Very informal = Hi John, thanks (if know person quite well)

 

[Swansman]

I dont know much about British email etiquette but whenever I get an email starting with "Dear" it ends with "...so please tell us everything about your credit card secrets".

 

[AmexRuislip]

Yo Bwana