How do you refer to people?

[deird1]

Just a poll, because I'm wondering if being in a different country makes a big difference to this...

(Ignore the "dear" if that's not what you'd say - I just put it there because it's the start of a letter.)

Poll #5814 forms of address

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 29

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At work, you're writing a letter to John Smith, whom you've never met. You start...

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Dear Mr Smith
22 (78.6%)

Dear John Smith
2 (7.1%)

Dear John
1 (3.6%)

Dear Mr John Smith
0 (0.0%)

Dear Sir
3 (10.7%)

At work, you're writing a letter to John Smith, whom you've met several times. You start...

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Dear Mr Smith
13 (44.8%)

Dear John Smith
2 (6.9%)

Dear John
13 (44.8%)

Dear Mr John Smith
0 (0.0%)

Dear Sir
1 (3.4%)

At work, you're writing an email to John Smith, whom you've never met. You start...

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Dear Mr Smith
18 (62.1%)

Dear John Smith
1 (3.4%)

Dear John
7 (24.1%)

Dear Mr John Smith
0 (0.0%)

Dear Sir
3 (10.3%)

At work, you're writing an email to John Smith, whom you've met several times. You start...

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Dear Mr Smith
4 (14.3%)

Dear John Smith
0 (0.0%)

Dear John
23 (82.1%)

Dear Mr John Smith
0 (0.0%)

Dear Sir
1 (3.6%)

It makes a difference if you're...

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not at work
20 (69.0%)

writing to Jane Smith instead of John
4 (13.8%)

an inferior, a superior, or an equal
18 (62.1%)

trying to be polite
14 (48.3%)

talking to them face-to-face
18 (62.1%)

Questions? Comments?

Comments

[spikereader]

I very rarely write letters at work these days, but would stick to the Dear Mr Smith format to someone out side the company. Internal letters would be Dear John.

With email I generally just start with 'hi' rather than Dear John, or no salutation at all. The tone of the email would vary depending on whether I know the person or not and whether they are internal or external to the company. And always stop and think before pressing the send button.