|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 161
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 161 |
How many letters today start with Dear Sir or Madam?
well, at least letters that I write, I am afraid. the question how to start a letter if you know that there will be a person (a secretary, an officer, a scientist) who will open it but you don't know his/her name. we were taught this "Dear Sir/Madam" formula, which I know is awfully formal but would "to whom it may concern" be better?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
I get around that by writing "Greetings." But that's just me....
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Greetings was the standard opening to a WWII draft notice. Family lore has it that my grandmother always wondered what they were weeping about.
Greet was Scots for weep
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
This may sound a little anal but, if I'm sending a letter, I always get the name of the person I need to send it to.
It is extremely easy for the recipient of a letter to throw it away when it is addressed to Sir or Madame – difficult if it starts, Dear Mr. Burns.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 161
member
|
|
OP
member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 161 |
but if an ad says "send your CV to Human Personel Department"? where do I get the name of the officer who happens to open my letter?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
In that case, I would still go with "greetings."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
but if an ad says "send your CV to Human Personel Department"? where do I get the name of the officer who happens to open my letter? Well, you could call the company and ask. Failing that, I'd put Dear Sir or Madam. Or Dear Madam or Sir. But I'm old-fashioned; there's always "Yo!". 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 161
member
|
|
OP
member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 161 |
greetings it is then. but I'm surprised that everybody uses the same form of address...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 87
journeyman
|
|
journeyman
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 87 |
OK, here's from someone who occasionally works in the mail room at my place of employment. First of all, the envelope generally gets tossed. The HR person is not an officer, and she may or may not look at a CV or resume right away - it is given to a secretary and filed somewhere unless there is an active search for new personnel at that time.
I also play receptionist for a short time each day, and when we get questions about HR we tell the name of the correct person - spell it - give the address - whatever it takes. My guess is that the HR person likes being addressed by her name better that Sir/Madam, but if the CV looked good it probably wouldn't matter too much. But, that's one job I don't get to do - they NEVER ask me about hiring or firing (and I have big opinions about it, too!).
What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? -Ursula K. Le Guin, author (1929- )
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
I have big opinions about it, too!). Overlooking their hidden treasure, are they? 
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,549
Members9,187
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
173
guests, and
3
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
