Comments on Rachmaninoff and Red Sox: Letter Etiquette?

you know.. I don't think I've ever called anyone t...

2008-11-18T22:43:00.000-08:00

you know.. I don't think I've ever called anyone that! New vocabulary? ;)

I agree with the Burglar. Its all a matter of con...

2008-11-18T22:39:00.000-08:00

I agree with the Burglar. Its all a matter of context, but I might add that in addition to using "dear" when addressing people I've never met I also use it in professional settings i.e. "Dear Dr. So-and-so pretty please write me a letter of rec."
I believe it is also acceptable when insulting friends i.e. "Dear Jerkface, I hate you."

An example (possible solution?):Dear so-and-so,Hel...

2008-11-13T15:36:00.000-08:00

An example (possible solution?):

Dear so-and-so,

Hello! (insert body of letter).

Yours,
Gabriel

I've wondered this myself. Let me know if you fin...

2008-11-13T07:35:00.000-08:00

I've wondered this myself. Let me know if you find the absolute answer or perfect solution. :)

I like it, as long as I remember how dear the pers...

2008-11-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

I like it, as long as I remember how dear the person actually is! It represents as signal to appreciate people; otherwise it is rather repetitious and insignificant to me...

I don't know! Some people are really bothered by i...

2008-11-12T07:07:00.000-08:00

I don't know! Some people are really bothered by it, and other people think it's standard.

Uniformity... egh! :)

??? It's faux pas to use dear at the beginning of ...

2008-11-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

??? It's faux pas to use dear at the beginning of a letter/email?!

I don't think it's a faux pas.I use "Dear" when I'...

2008-11-11T21:24:00.000-08:00

I don't think it's a faux pas.

I use "Dear" when I've never met the person I'm writing to.

For people I do know, I sometimes use "Hi, Name," which is kind of cheesy but gets the job done.