ADVICE TO GRADUATING STUDENTS: WHEN WRITING EMAILS TO AMERICANS THINK TWICE ABOUT “DEAR SUSAN” . . .
. . . if you want to sound professional. Just ‘Susan,’ may be more appropriate.
In the DACH region we are raised with formal etiquette. Removing “Dear” feels naked or even rude. Americans might find it strange but when Europeans walk into a room it’s expected to greet everyone: “Grüss Gott” in Stuttgart, “Grüezi” in Zürich, or “Grüessech” in Bern.
But Europeans beware! In the US and international tech hubs “Dear” is an artifact of the 1950s and it makes you sound like a great-grandparent! To a fast-paced American executive “Dear Susan” may feel stiff, overly formal, and too slow.
The Email Greeting Reality Check:
- “Dear Bob,” The safe gold standard for first contact, but quickly becomes old-fashioned in a fast thread.
- “Bob,” The Power Move. In many cultures, starting with just a name and a comma feels like a reprimand. It’s blunt and cold, but for Americans it can be fine.
- “Hi Bob,” The modern bridge. Friendly enough for Europe and efficient enough for the US.
For US and European exchanges, mirroring what you see is generally a safe and recommended approach. But watch out for Asia, where relationships may be asymmetrical: they show you “benevolent closeness” but still expect “proper respect.”
The Golden Rule: When in doubt, be authentic to yourself.
And remember, your greeting isn’t just a formality. It’s the tone of your professional brand.