Email closing

[dettu]

Maybe we've discussed this before and I don't remember it - how do you sign off at the end of an email to someone you don't know well? For in-house colleagues I just use "D." (for dettu, of course) but when I need to respond to someone external I'm sometimes at a loss. Most people here sign off "thanks, Mary" but often I'm not thanking the other person for anything, or I've already said "thanks" in the body of my email. When I get emails from abroad (such as from the UK) the admins tend to use "Regards, Mary" but that might come off rather curt in the US where email tends to be more informal. If I'm addressing someone much older or more senior I like to use "Sincerely, dettu," but younger people seem put off by the formality of it.

What do you all use?

[gee4]

If it's someone I don't know or haven't met, I would use "Kind Regards".

I hate "Cheers" unless it's a friend or someone you know - I think it sounds unprofessional in a work environment.

I sign all of my work emails "Regards" + my name.

We have standard email signatures now in work (thank heavens) with job title, department and contact details etc.  Everyone signs off emails differently but I would stick with "Regards" if you don't think "Thanks" is appropriate.

I would let the US do their own thing and if you're in the UK, stick with what works best for you. 

[dettu]

Hi there, gee! I'm in the US, which is what complicates things, I guess. I like "Regards" but not many people here use it. To many US eyes/ears it sounds standoffish.

[Cathy S]

I don't have a standard - I have a series of options I use frequently depending on the situation and the person.  What is most strange to me is that unconsciously I have changed those style options with the different sectors I work in.

My previous role the choice would have been

"Many thanks" OR "kind regards"

Now "Many thanks (in advance)" OR "Kind regards" OR (and this surprises me but it seems well received!) "Best wishes"

I would only ever use "Cheers" with a close colleague and then only in some circumstances.

Equally important for me though is the opening ... I rarely start an e-mail "Name," ... more usually "Good morning/afternoon (Name)" or "Thank you for your prompt response Name ..."  If I feel the need to use "Dear" then e-mail is the wrong format to me

So with all best wishes and hope that gives you some workable suggestions Dettu

Cathy

[Katie G]

I'm in the US.

Internally, I usually use "Thanks," and my first name.  Usually when I use email, I'm making a request of some sort, so "Thanks" is appropriate. 

Dettu, I receive emails signed off with "regards" and honestly, I don't find it off-putting at all, but that could just be our corporate culture.

Externally, I use "Sincerely" and my name, which is followed underneath with my full name, title, mailing address, phone number and email address. 

I was intrigued by Cathy's comment about using "Dear," as a salutation.  My organization has a differnet take -- we treat external emails as mail, just in another format (saving postage and paper, you know).  So I have often used "Dear Mr. Smith," at least initially.  (Sometimes in the response I'll get an invitation so call  the person "Joe")  Our organization works with a lot of people with MDs and PhDs (and in many cases, both!) so to be safe, I'll use, "Dear Dr. Smith," or "Dear Professor Smith" until invited to do otherwise. 

[silvergirl]

I'm in the US, and what I'm seeing now is no closing at all, just the sender's name.  And often no salutation, either.

I think it's a bit cold, but I'm from the "old school" and I have a lot of trouble getting used to the modern ways.

Elaine

[peaches2160]

I use the format below which is saved in my e-mail template and automatically comes up.  Sometimes I add Thanks before the below, or depending on the communication, I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Best regards,

First Name Last Name
Executive Assistant to Bosses Name
His TItle
Company Name
My Phone Number
My e-Mail address