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+--- Thread: How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? (/showthread.php?tid=75906)
How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? - volcs0 - 04-07-2009
I'm sending a formal letter to someone named Morgan. I don't feel comfortable with "Dear Morgan" but would rather use: "Dear Mr. ____" (or "Dear Ms. ____"). I've googled this person, and I suspect they are female, but I just can't be sure.
What are the options:
1. No salutation. Just start in with the letter.
2. To Whom it May Concern
3. Dear Sir/Madam
Other ideas?
Re: How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? - kap - 04-07-2009
2 or 3
Re: How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? - C(-)ris - 04-07-2009
Dear Captain?
Re: How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? - davester - 04-07-2009
I'm partial to "Hey you", "Captain my Captain", or "Y'all".
Re: How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? - Racer X - 04-07-2009
no, this is formal You All.
Re: How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? - guitarist - 04-07-2009
Is there a way to unobtrusively determine the person's gender identity? Using a resource other than Google...Call their office, find out through a third party, something...do a bit more research? If it's not practical, and the letter is purely formal and impersonal, then Sir/Madame is acceptable.
If you don't want to risk being totally impersonal and uninformed, going to the trouble to find out a tiny bit more about the person you're addressing seems like a worthwhile effort.
Re: How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? - Jack D. - 04-07-2009
Yo, 'sup bitch? I wonna axe you suh'in,
Covers the gender problem but maybe not formal enough?
Re: How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? - Lux Interior - 04-07-2009
I'd go with the Sir/Madam
Re: How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? - Black - 04-07-2009
Greetings!
It has come to my attention etc. etc.
Re: How to address a formal letter if unsure of gender? - jdc - 04-07-2009
Hi Pat,
