[Misc] A Question of Etiquette

[Worried Man Blues]

OMG, It's YOU! or in Wales It's John it is, close with Take Care.

 

[el punal]

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?

“Greetings Earthling”

There, that should cover all the bases.

 

[darkwolf666]

“Greetings Earthling”

There, that should cover all the bases.

Excepting Donald Trump, who is clearly a giant lizard!

 

[GOM]

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.

Somebody will be offended on behalf of somebody else now you've said that.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

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?

To whom it may concern.

 

[el punal]

Excepting Donald Trump, who is clearly a giant lizard!

Please! Do not compare that oaf with our ‘Lizard’.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

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.

They darent,

 

[Bodian]

As a recipient of these letters / emails - I much prefer Dear Sir/Madam, to 'Dear Bodian' from someone whom I've never met, and am unlikely to get on with anyway!

 

[el punal]

Hello CLINT

 

[Braggfan]

I remember somebody sending an email to the organisation I work at and addressing it "Dear Lady/Sire". That always amused me. I also had one recently that started with "Dear Individual", which I thought was interesting.

 

[strings]

I think this can sometimes be sector specific. I work in the education sector and 'Dear Colleague' seems to be the most used way of starting an email if you don't know the recipient's name, or where an email is going to multiple recipients - regardless of whether they are your Colleague or not.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

As suggested earlier, 'Good morning' / 'Good afternoon' are good options, if you don't know the gender or the person you're addressing.

In fact, I tend to use those, even when I DO know them. 'Good morning Richard' sounds more NORMAL to me than 'Dear Richard', etc.

Sign off, is almost always 'Best regards', or 'Thanks and best regards'

 

[hart's shirt]

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

You'll be fine.

The gender transfer window has closed.

 

[Mellotron]

To Whom It May Concern

Well epic and dead fookin' classeh too.

 

[Icy Gull]

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)

My experience is that big shot clients don’t like Hi or Hey at all and if you know them Dear is a bit old fashioned. Just start with the first name.

Peter,

Etc etc

Signing off with “Best”

If it’s a complaint or query to a big impersonal company

To whom it may concern

 

[Wellesley]

I'm not one for formalities and like to keep things friendly, so whatever the occasion, I usually start it with 'Dear Cheeky-chops'.

 

[bluenitsuj]

Dear Sir or madame

Never had an issue

 

[Peteinblack]

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

Hope that like totally helps? Yeh?

Whatev's,

Bry

Ohmigod, I literally died laughing

You OK Hun? PM me if you need to talk, babe

 

[portlock seagull]

My experience is that big shot clients don’t like Hi or Hey at all and if you know them Dear is a bit old fashioned. Just start with the first name.

Peter,

Etc etc

Signing off with “Best”

If it’s a complaint or query to a big impersonal company

To whom it may concern

Oh, completely. These days almost anything goes depending on the individual and how well you know them, who they work for, who they are. I’ve had clients with more initials that the alphabet and get one of the dots wrong and that’s six figures business in jeopardy. That’s knowing the client though. Comes later. Lots of really bad advice out there for youngsters and the inexperienced who can come across from the get go as way too informal.

Personally anyone not signing off using ‘I am, and remain, your most obedient and humble servant...’ gets binned immediately in my book. Using a quality wax on the envelope also helps.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I guess “Yo” is a bit passe now?

Pop a bitch on the end and you’re good to go.