Addressing unknown people in business

I do have a problem when sending emails to a company (when I don't have a named contact). "Dear Sirs" seems overly formal for an email (and also sexist), "Hi" or "Hello" too informal.

I usually start an email communication to a business with "Good morning" or "Good afternoon," and finish with "Kind regards."

Sounds perfectly fine, exact and proper email ettiquette to me. It is considered kind, not rude.

They would have to ask you how you would like to be addressed with another email and that seems a waste of time. It doesnt matter what you're called in business. It matters that you get the business done.

I gave my email address to Holland & Barret and they address me in their “offers” by just my surname.
Better than the new habit of tv licensing of addressing me as Miss. Aaaaagh!

Also they have changed their bank details and started to email a monthly reminder to make sure there are “sufficient funds” to pay the instalments! Odd.

It annoys me that the Tesco self scanner pings up with my first name ...

Grantanow

Utterly trivial.

But it's an odd way to address someone in a business letter.

Dear Smith (or Jones)

I'd be suspicious thst it was a scam.

The consultant in the geriatric -oops care of the elderly, ward always addresses new patients by Mr or Mrs Whatever and introduces himself by his first name. They may or may not offer their first names for use but whatever they request is adhered to. He insists new staff and trainee doctors show the same respect to these elderly patients.

I like people using my Christian name , it makes me feel they are friendly.

When my mum went into a nursing home, the staff asked her what she would like to be called. She replied ‘Mrs Joy of course’. She got very Hyacinth Bouquet if someone called her Doris. She was a bit of a snob! 🙄. Bless her ❤️

I live in a country where everyone is on first name terms and uses the informal pronoun, and we have all done so since the 1970s. I dislike this modern habit, but have had to accept it.

As far as e-mails go, I don't think there are any generally accepted rules in any language. Firms and private individuals see to make up their own rules.

I was astonished to receive an email which although in German and from a German firm, with whom I corresponded in German that began with "Dear Mrs. Jxxx"

Why on earth should a German company start their communication in English then continue in German?

If they felt "Liebe Frau Jxxx" was inappropriate, why not start with Gnädige Frau?

As they used the formal pronoun (only to be expected, as I didn't go to school with my correspondent, nor was she a relative) it seems an odd mixture.

In NHS contexts, I have no objection to any staff addressing me by my first name... so long as it's mutual. So I politely respond in kind, drop their title and use their first name.

Some doctors are fine with that. Others instantly revert to addressing me as Mrs Butterandjam.

Whenever you get greeted there its “mate” even relatives.

Er, no.
Not in my experience.

"Familiarity breeds contempt".

How very true.

And as expected, you double down, completely ignoring the fact that Nanna8 actually lives there and explained about the use of informal language in business, which is the focus of the thread. But you know better than an actual resident hence mansplaining 😂

I get annoyed when people change my surname into a first name. I have a surname that could be a man's name without the S at the end, such as Edwards or Williams. when you are waiting at the GP or dentist and a man's name is called, you ignore it. I had visitors sent away at work as they asked for me by a man's name and reception did not realise they meant me.
I am not a man!

Off topic I know, but I hate being called ma’am. Makes me feel ancient! I’m 69.

Grandmabatty

David, you are aware that Nanna8 lives in Australia? Do you also live there or are you just mansplaining?

Whenever you get greeted there its “mate” even relatives.
I hope that answers your womansplaining

David, you are aware that Nanna8 lives in Australia? Do you also live there or are you just mansplaining?

TBH this just sounds to me like sheer cluelessness/ ignorance/ both, and a sad sign of falling standards everywhere.

The one that irritates me is Dear Jane Brown, when it should be either Dear Miss/Mrs/Ms Brown, or Dear Jane - if that more familiar form of address is warranted.

Now then Aveline don’t clutch those pearls too tightly will you😅

Oh! The impertinence! Have fainted

nanna8

Most people in Australia use first names. I haven’t heard a ‘Mr’ or ‘Mrs’ in years. That applies to most doctors, dentists, tradespersons and just about everyone.

In Australia it’s usually “mate”very informal.

Most people in Australia use first names. I haven’t heard a ‘Mr’ or ‘Mrs’ in years. That applies to most doctors, dentists, tradespersons and just about everyone.

If anyone asks me my name I tell them it.
No Ms/Mrs/Miss, and surname only if required.

The times they are a changin’ (have changed in fact) I mean good grief ! I’m 64 and have never considered being a “missis” as conferring any important status upon me,
I detest Miss (would rather be a hit😀) and will only say Ms if pressed because I want parity with men, in a way that using Mrs and Miss does not afford me.

I felt the same about this when I was 14 as I do now.

Most often letters and emails to me are addressed David, if the person signs with a christian name I reply with the same. It’s all much less formal than years gone by,

I do have a problem when sending emails to a company (when I don't have a named contact). "Dear Sirs" seems overly formal for an email (and also sexist), "Hi" or "Hello" too informal.

RosieandherMaw

Is there any way you signed off with your surname first?
I ask because I believe you live in France and I have heard Frenchmen introduce themselves as “Dupont, Marcel” for instance.

True in meeting people for the first time face to face, one we all know is, Bond, James Bond.

I did complain once to the VW garage sending postal mail addressed to Monsieur X, the male person told me it was a small thing but when I called him Madame X, he wasn’t happy.