# The official language thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Off-topic\ **Created:** [April 3, 2018, 11:14am UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524 "2018-04-03T11:14:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 45
**Author:** ![Festarossa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/festarossa/32/15_2.png) [@Festarossa](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Festarossa)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 6:34pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/885 "2018-08-24T18:34:42Z")
I used to use “BR, Arto” in all my English emails, but after the transition to new email (Google) and the fact that I could have only one signature for all languages, I had a bit of a struggle with myself, and decided to just drop all greetings. Now everyone gets only my name, title and contact information after the message. And I rather like it. It’s a Finnish way. No bullshit, just info. ---
**Author:** ![Festarossa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/festarossa/32/15_2.png) [@Festarossa](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Festarossa)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 6:43pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/886 "2018-08-24T18:43:17Z")
The most difficult thing with emails is the word “Dear”. “Dear Guybrush”, “Dear Sir” etc. As a Finn, I would use the word “Dear” to someone who I really love and gone to hell and back with. So, using that word to contact someone I’ve never had any contact with before is a bit weird. ---
**Author:** ![tasse-tee](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/tasse-tee/32/4002_2.png) [@tasse-tee](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/tasse-tee)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/887 "2018-08-24T18:58:55Z")
Actually, as a Brit, sometimes I find myself thinking the same thing! Normally I use “good morning/afternoon” for formal emails, and “hi” for informal ones. But the other day I started an email with “Dear”, and then immediately thought to myself: “Hang on, does that sound too sentimental?” 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Frenzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/frenzie/32/4416_2.png) [@Frenzie](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Frenzie)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/888 "2018-08-24T20:04:14Z")
> [@Someone](#): > > Yours truly … (And this is more informal?) Usage differs a bit between the UK and the US, which is why I include this British reference work (Practical English Usage) to support the fact that it’s not: ![17](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thimbleweedpark/original/2X/a/a38254dd4fcf9a750fa10f9991bd687cc4bf9c84.jpeg) ![34](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thimbleweedpark/original/2X/0/0c5e0cbc4c02e56f6e6a30f02d969b389890a0a7.jpeg) (With people you _know_ common expressions include _With best wishes_ and _With kind regards_.) > [@tasse-tee](#): > > That’s correct. Yours truly is formal (not formal formal but formal) and (kind/best) regards is on the rather informal but not quite familiar side. You interpret yours truly as informal as a Brit? Would that be because it’s common American usage? > [@tasse-tee](#): > > But the other day I started an email with “Dear”, Dear _insert name_ is fine; just Dear is not. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![PiecesOfKate](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/piecesofkate/32/93_2.png) [@PiecesOfKate](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/PiecesOfKate)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/889 "2018-08-24T20:48:31Z")
I tend to use ‘kind regards’ or ‘best wishes’ for formal stuff. Or ‘many thanks’ if I’m asking for something. I think ‘dear xx’ and ‘yours sincerely’ are a bit old hat these days, especially since they’re more for letter writing and most people send emails now. ---
**Author:** ![Festarossa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/festarossa/32/15_2.png) [@Festarossa](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Festarossa)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 8:57pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/890 "2018-08-24T20:57:33Z")
My email courtesy today is to use the recipients name in greeting: “Hi John” 😄 ---
**Author:** ![tasse-tee](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/tasse-tee/32/4002_2.png) [@tasse-tee](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/tasse-tee)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/891 "2018-08-24T21:25:01Z")
> [@Frenzie](#): > > You interpret yours truly as informal as a Brit? Yep, but I’m not quite sure why! > [@Frenzie](#): > > Dear _insert name_ is fine; just Dear is not. 😛 Just Dear would sound as if you’re about to give them a lecture on why they should be doing more of the housework. (Yeah, the opposite sentiment of my previous post, but that’s how I imagine it being said in this case 😛 ) ---
**Author:** ![Frenzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/frenzie/32/4416_2.png) [@Frenzie](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Frenzie)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/892 "2018-08-24T21:28:42Z")
Huh, I can imagine writing just dear to my wife if I were a few decades older. And not to lecture anyone. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/zakphoenixmckracken/32/41_2.png) [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/ZakPhoenixMcKracken)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/893 "2018-08-24T21:45:33Z")
What if, instead of “kind regards”, I close my e-mail with “warmly”? It’s more confidential and less formal? ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 9:49pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/894 "2018-08-24T21:49:19Z")
> [@Festarossa](#): > > Now everyone gets only my name, title and contact information after the message. And I rather like it. It’s a Finnish way. No bullshit, just info. You should add your bank account too then! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/895 "2018-08-24T21:54:11Z")
> [@Someone](#): > > One can never use too much smileys! 🙂 ) Insert a reply with 2000 different smileys here. I am too lazy… 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤔😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🙃😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😴😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 ---
**Author:** ![tasse-tee](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/tasse-tee/32/4002_2.png) [@tasse-tee](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/tasse-tee)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 7:04am UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/896 "2018-08-25T07:04:56Z")
> [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](#): > > What if, instead of “kind regards”, I close my e-mail with “warmly”? It’s more confidential and less formal? It’s less formal, but still has a professional tone to it. You could use this when emailing colleagues. ---
**Author:** ![yrface](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/yrface/32/11793_2.png) [@yrface](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/yrface)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 11:55am UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/897 "2018-08-25T11:55:28Z")
> [@tasse-tee](#): > > a professional tone ‘Sup, This is a formal email in the futuristic year of 2027. Later dawg, ---
**Author:** ![milanfahrnholz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@milanfahrnholz](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/milanfahrnholz)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 12:23pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/898 "2018-08-25T12:23:10Z")
> [@yrface](#): > > > [@tasse-tee](#): > > > > a professional tone > > ‘Sup, > This is a formal email in the futuristic year of 2027. > > Later dawg, ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thimbleweedpark/original/2X/0/0b0e464c35ddd7a626ca3ef29e029238ea858c30.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Frenzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/frenzie/32/4416_2.png) [@Frenzie](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Frenzie)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/899 "2018-08-25T14:53:40Z")
> [@yrface](#): > > ‘Sup, > This is a formal email in the futuristic year of 2027. > > Later dawg, Biatch, U kiddin m8. Smell ya, 2057 ---
**Author:** ![yrface](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/yrface/32/11793_2.png) [@yrface](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/yrface)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2018, 3:52pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/900 "2018-08-25T15:52:44Z")
> [@Frenzie](#): > > Biatch, > > U kiddin m8. > > Smell ya, ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thimbleweedpark/original/2X/a/a36b655e533520ca8c3422a0979d454dd88a33ba.gif) ---
**Author:** ![milanfahrnholz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@milanfahrnholz](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/milanfahrnholz)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 2:19pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/901 "2018-08-26T14:19:35Z")
This is more of a cultural question than a language one but I was just talking to @boosegoose on Twitter about that: How many of you people had to wear school uniforms and did it depend on wheater you went to a private school or not? Not even my parents had that anymore, but it looks like it is still a thing in england and other countries? ---
**Author:** ![Frenzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/frenzie/32/4416_2.png) [@Frenzie](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Frenzie)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/902 "2018-08-26T14:22:00Z")
> [@milanfahrnholz](#): > > Not even my parents had that anymore, but it looks like it is still a thing in england and other countries? It’s oddly common in Belgium. ---
**Author:** ![Gffp](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/gffp/32/12183_2.png) [@Gffp](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Gffp)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/903 "2018-08-26T14:25:07Z")
> [@milanfahrnholz](#): > > but it looks like it is still a thing in england and other countries? At primary school, in a private institute, we had to wear a sort of suit on our normal clothes (dark blue for males, light blue for females). I liked it because I didn’t have to care about what to wear, and if someone had cheaper or richer clothes. In public schools they’re not requested at all. ---
**Author:** ![yrface](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/yrface/32/11793_2.png) [@yrface](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/yrface)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524/904 "2018-08-26T14:25:55Z")
> [@milanfahrnholz](#): > > How many of you people had to wear school uniforms and did it depend on wheater you went to a private school or not? Growing up I never had to wear one, it was mainly for private schools. There are public schools here that have uniforms (ties for kindergarten, which I found annoying). The rationale is that it leads to good behavior/more respect. Maybe that works for some kids. [Previous page](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524.md?page=44) [Next page](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/the-official-language-thread/2524.md?page=46)