A lot of times I'm the only woman involved in a deal -- the other attorneys and the principals are all men. I have occasion fairly often to send emails or letters that open with the greeting "Gentlemen:" and I must say I do like the sound of it -- somber, well-mannered, a little old-fashioned. But in the same deals when I get correspondence back that begins "Ladies and Gentlemen:" the connotation for me is that of a circus ringmaster, about to announce a perilous and amazing stunt by a trapeze artist. And what if there were a deal where all those involved were women? Would "Ladies:" be an appropriate opener? Somehow it doesn't seem so, even though though I suppose it's the grammatical equivalent. What other options are there for addressing a group of folks of mixed (or single, female) gender in formal correspondence?
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» Dear Sir or Madam/Anrede from Transblawg
Sheherezade asks how to address a mixed-sex or purely female group in correspondence or email: I have occasion fairly often to send emails or letters that open with the greeting “Gentlemen:” and I must say I do like the sound... [Read More]
» Dear Sir or Madam/Anrede from Transblawg
Sheherazade asks how to address a mixed-sex or purely female group in correspondence or email: I have occasion fairly often to send emails or letters that open with the greeting “Gentlemen:” and I must say I do like the sound... [Read More]
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Esteemed Colleagues?
Posted by: RSLS | April 06, 2004 at 02:17 PM
In the legal world, I frequently use the greeting "Counsel:"
Posted by: BC | April 06, 2004 at 02:18 PM
I've always preferred "Hey, jack***es," but I've settled on "Counsel" when I have to.
Posted by: T P B, Esq. | April 06, 2004 at 04:18 PM
Is it OK to write 'Ladies and Gentlemen' in correspondence, without 'Dear', or is that just email?
Mesdames?!
Posted by: MM | April 06, 2004 at 05:32 PM
I'm pretty sure "dear" is a necessary addition in letters.
Posted by: T P B, Esq. | April 06, 2004 at 07:11 PM
I disagree. I start right out with "Gentlemen:" -- no "Dear" at all, unless I know the folks. There's something so businesslike about that opener -- I like it a lot.
Posted by: Scheherazade | April 06, 2004 at 10:34 PM