This is topic Correct salutation? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by Kiwi (Member # 7982) on :
 
I'm having trouble deciding an appropriate way to begin a formal letter where I don't know the name or gender of the person I'm addressing. I do not like "Dear sir/madam" or "To whom it may concern"; and I'm sure there's a better way, I just can't think of it!

Suggestions?
 

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Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
I've seen either used. Nobody likes using those salutations, but they have the benefit of being commonly accepted. The recipient will likely not judge you harshly for being addressed so.
 

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Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
Alternatively, you can address it to "Dear (whatever the title is):

Such as,

Dear Superintendant of Sewers:

or

Dear Human Resources Director:

or

Dear Grocery Store Manager:
 

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Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
I would stay away from "To whom it may concern." If I got a letter addressed that way I would be inclined to say "Huh, well, it doesn't concern me" and toss it.

Is there any way you can do some research and find out the name or at least title of the person you're writing? If you can say "Attention Purchasing Director" even, or whatever, it's better than being completely clueless.
 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 

quote:

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Hey:

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quote:

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Dear Genius:

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quote:

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Dear Genuis:

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quote:

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Dear Superintendant of Sewers:

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I like this much better than my suggestions and strongly recommend you use it!
 

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Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
I would leave off the "dear" and just write "Sir or Madam:" (or "Madam or Sir:".) Or, if you really don't like that, "To the party responsible for all the lights on my street turning purple last night:"

(Of course, that's more for a business-like letter than a formal invitation or the like.)
 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
I wish I had seen this thread before last week, when I had to write a letter to the parent of a student. I could have used that idea then!
 

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Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
Dear Superintendant of Sewers:

We've missed you over at GC.
 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
Dear Genuis,

I saw that . . . I've even posted in that thread a couple of times!
 

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Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
Dear Superintendant of Sewers:

I could get used to this.

edit: What's your alt then? I don't see any posts by you.

From a quick scan, it doesn't appear that anybody has posted exactly twice in that thread.
 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
Dear Genuis,

er, by "twice" I mean "four times."


 

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Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
Dear Superintendant of Sewers:

 

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Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
My favorite, cribbed from some SF story years ago, is

Gentlepersons:
 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
How about

quote:

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I hate you all:

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Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
That's hardly a salutation. That would more properly be the leading part of a signature, neh?
 

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Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
I once had a letter addressed to me:

To the Nurse who Took Care of My Husband George who is Now Dead:

The letter went on to praise the care I rendered, and concluded with a plea that if I had her dead husband's dentures, to please return them to the family.


I sure hated parting with those dentures.
 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
::snerk::


 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
You know, Tante, it's pretty sickening how quickly you've racked up a thousand posts.

I'm just saying . . . .
 

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Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
Yeah.

Absolutely disgusting.
 

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Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
I kinda like Gentlepersons. In combination with "I Hate You All;" as the closing, it's even better.
 

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Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
Sorry to disgust you, but what can I say, I just LOVE you guys and I can't seem to keep away from you.

And I'll bet that a good half of those posts are either Haikus or Begging Questions, and nobody really cares about either.

(but i can't leave the questions alone! I am a compete beggar)
 

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Posted by Kiwi (Member # 7982) on :
 
Dear Superintendant of Sewers:

I would like to apply for a job. I have a law degree, a large variety of short-term part-time work experience, and not much else.

I hate you all,

Kiwi.

__

(I actually went with Recruitment Officer, since it turns out that's who I'm meant to be addressing - thanks ElJay, don't know why I didn't think of that!! )
 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
I like signing with your screen name instead of your real name. After all, you want to preserve your privacy!
 

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Posted by Rappin' Ronnie Reagan (Member # 5626) on :
 
But you kept "I hate you all"?
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
This is the first time Hatrack has made me laugh so hard in.....

a very long time!! It's just the whole thread! The entire thing!


 

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