Modern way to start a formal letter?

tjhook

A few days ago I wrote an email to a company and as is my habit when writing a formal letter, began with "Dear Sir./Madam".

I got the response today, and it was helpful and friendly. Under the respondent's signature was "They|Them|Theirs".

That got me thinking. Is there a more "inclusive" acceptable way to start a formal letter? Preferably one that isn't any more clunky than the old "Dear Sir/Madam" (which itself is somewhat clunky)? I don't think anybody's going to be offended by "Dear Sir/Madam", it's more curiosity really. If somebody was minded to avoid gendered language, does formality have to be done away with?

Donald Trump

I usually begin my more formal communications with:

"Oi, dickhead"

tjhook

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674028#Comment_118674028

Yes but we're not all writing to Eir customer support...

thefallingman

good god have we really come that far, this him his or they them theirs is so pathetic i mean really wtf is wrong with this world, Dear sir/madam is perfect op or to whom it may concern if you are that bothered by it

growleaves

Dear They,

I hope this finds them well, I am writing in relation to...

zell12

Dear Esteemed Person, I am scribing this...

Forever awaiting your reply, T J Hook

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674071#Comment_118674071

It's absolutely exhausting.

iffandonlyif

It’s an interesting question. I imagine the addition of ‘Madam’ once riled purists used to ‘Dear Sir’ only. Perhaps we can expect Sir/Madam/Other in future!

But increasingly I find myself beginning my letters with just, ‘Hello, …’

NedsNotDead

Hello/Dear Friend

growleaves

Dear Xir/Ze/Sir/Madam,

mrcheez

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674154#Comment_118674154

What if he's not your friend, buddy?

seamus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058234277/modern-way-to-start-a-formal-letter

"To whom it may concern"

That was the way I was taught in the 90s to address any letter when you didn't know who would be dealing with it.

It's both old-fashioned and inoffensive.

If it's a less formal email, I usually go with "Hi there" or just "Hi".

In any case, as you can see by the OP, this notion that there are an army of people out there screaming about being offended by pronouns, is all in snowflakes' heads.

In the real world where someone has a preferred pronoun, they politely note it.

tjhook

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674145#Comment_118674145

I can imagine starting an email with "Hello", but I'm not sure about a letter. Having said that, I can't even remember the last letter I wrote. Can a person even buy writing paper any more?

Apiarist

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674182#Comment_118674182

I think you may find some writing paper in the Art supplies section of Eason's. Or you can print your letter on the normal printer paper ;)

turbot

Consider

Yo, wassup?

Innit?

Isit?

Fallout2022

'Greetings puny earthling'

thefallingman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674173#Comment_118674173

What if he's not your buddy, guy ?

NedsNotDead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674173#Comment_118674173

I like to think everyone is my friend

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058234277/modern-way-to-start-a-formal-letter

I have only once come across someone's pronouns professionally here in Ireland on an email. A woman that identifies as a woman.

Ostensibly it's a declaration for inclusivity, but is it not more of a political declaration these days of what side of the social justice fence you sit on? Especially when it's stating the obvious.

Does it even have a place in a professional setting? Can you really control what other people call you?

Economics101

We should start a campaign by those who find "they, them" offensive or even traumatic. Sauce for the goose....

Oh, wait. If a majority are offended, that's probably Ok, but if it's a minority, sinn sceal eile.

Amias

To whom it may concern,

or

Dear Sir/ Madam,

pickarooney

I don't really understand putting third person pronouns in a signature when you're only going to be using second person pronouns to address them.

Archeron

Foolish mortals. Nice and neutral.

Minier81

A chara?

looksee

I just put A chara into Google translate to see what it actually translates to (my friend).

So then I put in  is mise le meas but as a non-Irish speaker I spelled the last word incorrectly and got a note from GT - 'translate from Samoan?' (it is I, with respect, or respectfully yours).

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674623#Comment_118674623

I met a non-binary prospector once - told me there was gold in them/their hills....

seamus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118674838#Comment_118674838

it's a courtesy. So if/when another party is involved or you end up actually speaking, then you are aware.

"Hi Peter, please see the below email from John. They have said that I will need to send this to you in order for my request to be processed".

New Home

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118675724#Comment_118675724

Exactly!

(stolen from YLYL)

New Home

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677234#Comment_118677234

Just convert the sentence into a passive form and avoid all personal pronouns (except for it).

For Forks Sake

If it's an Australian on the recieving end, the same salutation suffices regardless of gender, and for both friend and foe.

"Oi, C*nt"

frosty123

Hey Conehead,

I hear you got a job going in that sh!thole factory of yours.

Give me a shout if it pays more than 25k, if not don't bother.

(Up) Yours 😋

indioblack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058234277/modern-way-to-start-a-formal-letter

Dear Sir/Madam is a bit old fashioned - but it's polite, courteous. I'd stick with it.