Thanks and Regards

Dear Shirley: "As you suggested, I am trying to drop the use of 'Regards' and 'Thank you' at the end of my e-mails. However, I still receive replies that carry these words. I feel so abrupt, rude and arrogant when I don't respond the same way. Oh I feel so guilty, please help! Do you think my message here is too rigid and abrupt? It looks strange with no 'Dear Mr .....' and no 'Yours sincerely' at the end."

Thank you for your email together with your list of questions. I attach the visit programme and the location map. We look forward to meeting your team soon. Rafe'ah

Shirley Says: Don't feel guilty. Your writing is good, but I do feel you need a 'Hello (name)' or 'Hi (name)' at the beginning. This is just for courtesy and it's also good for the recipient to see his/her name in the salutation as it's clarification that the message is to them and it is not just a cc.

Your message is polite and courteous, casual too, so you do not need to say 'Thanks and Regards' at the end. These words are used just as habit by most people. I always suggest to my workshop participants that if they want to say 'Thank you' at the end they should say 'Thank you' for something, ie 'for your understanding', 'for your patience', 'for your help', 'for your co-operation', or whatever - but not just 'Thank you'.

You certainly don't need 'Yours sincerely' at the end of a message - this is used on letters only and is not usually used on e-mails. Your message ended with a nice closing sentence and with your name - it's fine! Let's hope more people start dropping the 'Thanks and Regards', and even more annoying, the 'Tnks & Rgs'. Ooooh, now that really does annoy me!!

Thanks to Rafe'ah in Singapore for this question. It was good to meet you at my recent public workshop in Singapore, Rafe'ah. Good luck with your writing!

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