I've been doing more writing recently which means I've also being doing more emailing recently. Emailing people I don't know, that is. In doing so, I've realized that I have no closing personality and it's troubling me. I just can't find the right word to fit ME.
Let me show you.
The tone in this case is professional casual. So, where I usually might end an email to a friend of mine with something like...
Let me show you.
The tone in this case is professional casual. So, where I usually might end an email to a friend of mine with something like...
Why don't you back that ass up,
Ecko
or
Here come the Hotsteppa,
Ecko
or sometimes
Mmmmmhm,
Ecko
...you just cannot do that here. So, I had to figure something else out.
Next, I've tried to draw upon my professional background where I tend to use either "sincerely" or "thanks" as closings, but those felt either too formal or repetitive. But what was left?
A journalist friend of mine uses "Best, X" which I teased her about at first. It feels like ending with a big "I'm #1 FUCKER!" But, what I think it means is "all the best"...it's just not what it says. I briefly contemplated using "Better, Ecko" but I'm pretty sure that would just confuse people. It reeks of a long-winded back story.
Eventually, I realized I was just going to have to try some things on for size. I tried "best" a few times, but I'm pretty sure they knew I was just a poser.
The British sign off with "cheers" which is brilliance because it's just another form of "thanks" without being repetitive. It sounds funny coming from an American though, I reasoned, so I left that one to the English. (May as well let them keep some parts of their language to themselves.)
But then...
I got an email from a guy in DC who, after a lengthy discussion of time and date we would be speaking, he closed with "Cheers, X". I was outraged. "You don't get to write cheers!" In America, that means we have glasses in our hands and a reason to celebrate. You don't get to just, like, STEAL "cheers" from the English!
So I still don't know. Nothing I try on fits quite right. I need other ideas.
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9 comments:
I like to use Ciao, X.
We lived in Italy for a while so I figure I'm allowed!
Peace out! Ha ha!
http://resourcesforwriters.suite101.com/article.cfm/list_of_letter_closings_and_salutations
I found this link helpful. Although, I am sure you have considered most of these. I especially like, Over and Out, Echo. (For non-business related emails)
On a side note - Have you considered linking any of your blogs together?
I have the same problem. I have used Thanks, Best Wishes, Until Then, Take Care, Sincerely, blah blah blah... nothing feels right.
I like the link that VP posted. I'm particularly fond of:
-All you need is love (seriously perfect for my profession!)
-Kiss kiss bang bang
-Start the engines
and
-Yabba dabba do
I'll let you know how it goes as I try them out :)
OMG... it just occurred to me... I should be signing mine something like "Klink to you and yours" or "Let's Klink!" Really now, was that so hard? Rachel, Rachel, Rachel...
I've thought about "can't wait to shoot your kids!" but that just doesn't seem right :D
LMAO Audrey!!! That would be the ultimate faux pas!
I don't use salutations. I just type my name at the bottom. But, that might be due to the fact that people in my family have weird issues about saying good-bye. No one in my family says bye on the phone, they just hang up.
Try just typing your name. It might work for ya...
God I love you...how about TTFN? Or if you were your MIL, you'd of course then explain it with a (Ta ta for now) afterwards!
Whatever you say, if you say it twice, they'd know it was from you...as in echo...okay, now I'm beginning to sound like your MIL because I feel the need to explain myself.
Gah!
How about:
You wish you were me, Ecko
Hugs, Ecko
I'm off to please the world, Ecko
I can only please one person per day....
Free advice tomorrow, Ecko
It is I,
Ecko
I got nothing more to say,
Ecko
I've got no closing,
Ecko
Yeah..I need to go to bed now, don't I?
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