I've been wondering, why whould folks avoid the usage of Hey to greet someone/team as the mail starts, did that really read grotesque? What could be the alternatives other than the conventionals?
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Mari-Lou A
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Keyshov Borate
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I don't think many people use hey as greetings. Some do use it, but the word is also used to attract attention from somebody or to start swearing to strangers depending on your tone. Your e-mail can't deliver your tone. – Mar 01 '16 at 06:32
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"Hey" is better for informal emails. Try "Hello" for formal ones. – NVZ Mar 01 '16 at 06:32
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2Related: Are greetings and salutations redundant in an e-mail? and Is a salutation necessary in an email to an unknown person? – Mari-Lou A Mar 01 '16 at 07:53
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1Look at it this way - you wouldn't walk up to someone in the street and start a conversation with 'Hey', it is grossly impolite. So, why put it in an email. – Chenmunka Mar 01 '16 at 09:03
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"Hi" is informal but not as informal as "Hey". – Obay Ouano Mar 01 '16 at 09:39
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Few things say "delete me" more persuasively than "Hey," IMO. – Rob_Ster Mar 01 '16 at 10:43
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I'd only use it if communicating with a familiar who I knew to accept such greetings. – Hot Licks Mar 01 '16 at 13:48
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@Chenmunka - Actually, it would not be unusual at all to walk up to a stranger on the street and say "Hey, can you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?" – Hot Licks Mar 01 '16 at 13:49
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@HotLicks - Only if I wanted to hear, "Practice!" – Rob_Ster Mar 01 '16 at 16:56
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You might as well try "Yo dawg". – F.Webber May 28 '16 at 19:25
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Dear Mr/Ms <surname>
is still the correct formal way to start an email. Stick with that. Note that you should use Ms with women even if you happen to know what their marital status is.
Save "Hey" for good friends.
This is a good guide for email etiquette, particularly when mailing companies.
Max Williams
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1I agree with this, except the part about "Ms". Some people strongly object to Ms. Starting an email by annoying someone is not good! In general in the UK, I'd advise starting with Dear {First name}, whether they're male or female. – AndyT Mar 01 '16 at 10:30
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2I still used Mr/Ms as a sign of respect and it usually taken as such. The only problem with the title is getting it right. I get plenty of mail from India and I'm never quite sure. Additional. I have witnessed "shock" at the use of the word "dear". The graceless think it's too familiar. – user116032 Mar 01 '16 at 17:21