Hi, Hello, No Greeting

18 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 12:43AM UTC

   What? It's a business you're not buddies, stay professional. Hi, Hello, Morning, don't over think this.

2. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 1:07AM UTC

   I usually start my email with the first name if the person is a personal acquaintance or close colleague [comma]. If it is a business person, I use how I would typically address them in conversations ([title] first/last name). This isn't as formal as the "Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Last Name," but it still respects their standing in our relationship. Most people where I worked as a case manager called me Ms. [first name], and that's how most of the staff was referred to. After I finished my doctorate, many now have changed the title to Dr.

3. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 12:11PM UTC

   I usually start the email with the persons first name, or if its to multiple people I use "All" or "team". If I have a good relationship with the person I often times will use hello/hi or nothing at all.

4. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 12:30PM UTC

   If it's a single person it may be "Hi X" or "Hey X.."

   I tend to use "Hi folks" or "Hello everyone" in group e-mails.

   If it's in the midst of a conversation back and forth I don't use any greeting.

5. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 12:39PM UTC

   I usually go with 'Good morning, good afternoon, good evening' followed by name or names or use Team if it's a larger group. I also end all my emails with a 'please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your time and have a good (morning, day, afternoon, evening).

   I tend to be a little more formal in writing because I think it reads better than informal language which lacks inflection and nuance when it's down on a page.

6. Chriscodyc1April 1,2025 at 12:46PM UTC

   I usually use Hello or Good Morning etc

   I write my emails as if they will be in court one day.

   my former employer sued another and all emails were part of discovery and it was embarrassing for some staff when their emails were given to jury and read aloud because they were called to the stand.

7. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 1:18PM UTC

   I had a colleague once tell me he started and ended all emails as though they were letters. I had not thought of that previously, because I felt after the first introductory email they were more of an online conversation. However, now I cannot stop writing a salutation such as "Hello" or Good morning" and also closing with a "thank you" at the minimum. It drives me crazy - but I can't stop!

8. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 1:32PM UTC

   Hi Jane, or Good Morning, or Good Afternoon. Consider how you approach people in person. What do you say, HELLO I am a robot? No, you don't, you say Hi Jane, or the salutations above. In writing, consider it a conversation, not a robotic effort. I find Hello to be terse. But some are better writers than others as well.

9. Kerry RoperApril 1,2025 at 1:35PM UTC

   I think Good Morning or Dear Sir /Madam is formal. At least that’s what I recall from typing class.

   “Hello” and “Hi”? Really? Hello is considered formal now?

10. Melissa McHughApril 1,2025 at 2:12PM UTC

    I usually start with "good <time of day>, <name>!" Although I use a period instead of an exclamation point if I'm talking to most execs.

    Although it's harder when I'm working with international teams since we're in different time zones, but I make an effort to look it up anyway.

    I don't know why I start emails like that, I just started doing it years ago and it stuck.

11. Kim KayApril 2,2025 at 12:24PM UTC

    I use "Hi <name>" and end with "Thank you!" (unless a more specific closing is appropriate to the specific email. I think a lot of it is personal preference and this feels most natural to me. Things like "Dear <name>" or "Best Regards" feel inauthentic and like a form email. But if those are more someone else's style, they may feel more natural to them.

12. Peggy O'ConnellApril 2,2025 at 12:56PM UTC

    I personally like when an email comes in with a greeting other than just jumping into the conversation. It makes me feel that they care about what they are asking and who they are asking. I use "Hi Name" or "Hello Name", I usually end my emails with "Best" or "Thank you." I do tend to have a more casual tone with email, but still like the formality of addressing the person.

13. OLIVIA JOHNSONApril 2,2025 at 1:26PM UTC

    Hi there!

    Love your question. Seems simple enough, but it's one of those things that people don't really see as a part of business etiquette conversation.

    I will admit that I was a person that felt that "Hello" was appropriate, but that was also in uber corporate environments and different times. So I have gone from Hello, First Name only or Time of day and first name to Hi, First Name only or Time of day and First name.

    I think what is most important here is that you have to assess your environment and work culture. The organization, field or industry may require something different and dictate the expected norms.

    Hope this was helpful.

    Coach Olivia

14. AnonymousApril 2,2025 at 2:45PM UTC

    For emails to coworkers, I like “Hello” or “Hi” to me they are the same. I don’t like to use “Dear” because that does seem more formal.

15. AliciaApril 2,2025 at 4:37PM UTC

    Aloha.

16. Susan RoblesApril 5,2025 at 4:33PM UTC

    Lol!!!

17. Jennifer RadosevichApril 2,2025 at 5:53PM UTC

    Yes I detest "Hey" yet many early in career do this. I am later in my career and it grates my nerves. I try to be understanding but it's hard!

18. AnonymousApril 2,2025 at 7:28PM UTC

    I use "Hello". I hate when people start an email with "Hey....."

    So unprofessional.