Comments on: The Perils of Writing to Someone You Don’t Know http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-perils-of-writing-to-someone-you-dont-know/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:29:22 +0000 hourly 1 By: uma shankar http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-perils-of-writing-to-someone-you-dont-know/comment-page-1/#comment-387030 uma shankar Wed, 04 May 2011 05:17:15 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1289#comment-387030 Hi, My name is Uma Shankar and I am a man, although ''Uma'' on a standalone basis is a female name in India. I often get mails addressed to Ms. Uma Shankar. Can you suggest the correct response ? Do I tell them that I am a 'Mr.' and not a 'Ms.'' or discretly add 'Mr.' in brackets after my name in order to drive home the point? Since I am referring to official letters, I would be glad if someone could suggest the correct response. Regards, Uma Hi,
My name is Uma Shankar and I am a man, although ”Uma” on a standalone basis is a female name in India. I often get mails addressed to Ms. Uma Shankar. Can you suggest the correct response ? Do I tell them that I am a ‘Mr.’ and not a ‘Ms.” or discretly add ‘Mr.’ in brackets after my name in order to drive home the point? Since I am referring to official letters, I would be glad if someone could suggest the correct response.
Regards,
Uma

]]> By: Sheila http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-perils-of-writing-to-someone-you-dont-know/comment-page-1/#comment-318850 Sheila Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:23:28 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1289#comment-318850 I know this is an old thread, but, I had to have some place to vent my frustration. My English Professor, of all people, addressed me as DUDE. I was offended, and of course, I didn't tell her. I just didn't answer her email. Now, I don't trust anything she says. I know this is an old thread, but, I had to have some place to vent my frustration. My English Professor, of all people, addressed me as DUDE. I was offended, and of course, I didn’t tell her. I just didn’t answer her email. Now, I don’t trust anything she says.

]]> By: MS http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-perils-of-writing-to-someone-you-dont-know/comment-page-1/#comment-94587 MS Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:20:36 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1289#comment-94587 A just in case clarification: Addressing me as Miss *** in opening the letter is what I prefer. I indicated this preference when I made my donation. A just in case clarification: Addressing me as Miss *** in opening the letter is what I prefer. I indicated this preference when I made my donation.

]]> By: MS http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-perils-of-writing-to-someone-you-dont-know/comment-page-1/#comment-94583 MS Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:18:25 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1289#comment-94583 I just received an email from an organization for which I recently made a donation. They are thankful for my "family's support" and "your family’s special gift ". This goes to beyond the issue of Miss or Mrs. I am single, I have no children or husband, and live alone. Shouldn't they be choosing to thank me as a "you" and not as "my family". I would argue that I have no family since I no longer live with either my parents or siblings. By the way, the letter (sent via email) opens with "Dear Miss ***). I just received an email from an organization for which I recently made a donation.

They are thankful for my “family’s support” and “your family’s special gift “. This goes to beyond the issue of Miss or Mrs. I am single, I have no children or husband, and live alone.

Shouldn’t they be choosing to thank me as a “you” and not as “my family”. I would argue that I have no family since I no longer live with either my parents or siblings.

By the way, the letter (sent via email) opens with “Dear Miss ***).

]]> By: Charlie http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-perils-of-writing-to-someone-you-dont-know/comment-page-1/#comment-69738 Charlie Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:46:54 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1289#comment-69738 Ms. Hingman It sounds like either method would work fine, since you correct them in the returning response. The only other way is to use Ms. on all your correspondence and introductions. A bit too formal for me, but could be the best way. Ms. Hingman
It sounds like either method would work fine, since you correct them in the returning response. The only other way is to use Ms. on all your correspondence and introductions. A bit too formal for me, but could be the best way.

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