Respectful salutation gets me feeling old (1 Viewer)

[brun]

One of the summer interns just sent me an email. It starts with "Dear Mr. Brun".
He must think I'm old.
Have a great day

 

[zamboni]

Imagine if he opened with "Dear Mr. Fantasy".

 

[brun]

If he did, I would think his grandfather must have had an influence.

Play us a tune...

 

[Joe Bryant]

One of the summer interns just sent me an email. It starts with "Dear Mr. Brun".
He must think I'm old.
Have a great day

Good for them. I know you're joking but that's not old. That's an intern understanding heirarchy.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I’ve told this one here before. And it was 8-10 years ago Ice skating with my daughter and her friends, I ate it. Pretty hard. One the teenage rink girls came flying up to me, sir, sir, sir! Are you ok? Can I help you up? She’d probably just call 911 now

 

[El Floppo]

One of the summer interns just sent me an email. It starts with "Dear Mr. Brun".
He must think I'm old.
Have a great day

Good for them. I know you're joking but that's not old. That's an intern understanding heirarchy.

I'm not sure what the expectation for an interns email heading is supposed to be here, if not that. Are we looking for "S'up Bro!"

 

[DA RAIDERS]

One of the summer interns just sent me an email. It starts with "Dear Mr. Brun".
He must think I'm old.
Have a great day

Good for them. I know you're joking but that's not old. That's an intern understanding heirarchy.

I'm not sure what the expectation for an interns email heading is supposed to be here, if not that. Are we looking for "S'up Bro!"

Just bruh

 

[brun]

I’ve told this one here before. And it was 8-10 years ago Ice skating with my daughter and her friends, I ate it. Pretty hard. One the teenage rink girls came flying up to me, sir, sir, sir! Are you ok? Can I help you up? She’d probably just call 911 now

Unlikely, she would probably just post the video.

 

[B Maverick]

I’ve told this one here before. And it was 8-10 years ago Ice skating with my daughter and her friends, I ate it. Pretty hard. One the teenage rink girls came flying up to me, sir, sir, sir! Are you ok? Can I help you up? She’d probably just call 911 now

Did you tell her you've fallen and you can't get up?

If so, you are old.

 

[dickey moe]

Better than "Dear... Dad?"

 

[Skipdog77]

Could have been worse. Could have started, "Dear Mr. Brun, please have your caretaker read the following email to you carefully".

 

[nirad3]

Yeah, I hate getting "Sir'ed".

A 20/30-something guy was at our front entrance to our building at work and I was on my way out to lunch yesterday. Opened the door and he told me who he was and what he was there for... and then I heard the Ring doorbell-ish thingie speaker and it was our receptionist saying she was coming down. Knowing that he was taken care of I started walking towards my car and he gave me a "Thanks, boss". I much rather get "boss" than "sir".

 

[Skipdog77]

Or something like:

"To Brun of Footballguys in the interwebs be this letter take."

 

[Joe Bryant]

Must be a geography or culture thing. I don't mind "sir" at all. And I say sir to someone unless I know they're 20 years younger than me. Don't get the dislike.

And in cases like the OP, unsure what other possible word they'd use than "Mr." when opening an email.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Homer usually has a quote for every situation.

"For once maybe someone will call me "sir" without adding, "You're making a scene. "

 

[brun]

Must be a geography or culture thing. I don't mind "sir" at all. And I say sir to someone unless I know they're 20 years younger than me. Don't get the dislike.

And in cases like the OP, unsure what other possible word they'd use than "Mr." when opening an email.

The bulk of my emails, to or from, start with "Hi [1st name]". Just what I'm used to.

 

[Keerock]

I call everybody sir. Yes sir. No sir. Sign of mutual respect IMO. Doesn't bother me in the least when people call me sir, I actually like it. Nice change from what my wife calls me.

 

[dgreen]

Must be a geography or culture thing. I don't mind "sir" at all. And I say sir to someone unless I know they're 20 years younger than me. Don't get the dislike.

And in cases like the OP, unsure what other possible word they'd use than "Mr." when opening an email.

The bulk of my emails, to or from, start with "Hi [1st name]". Just what I'm used to.

Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. If I know the person, which I assume your intern knows you, I don't see a need for formality. Honestly, many of my emails are just void of any kind of opening greeting. If I'm emailing my boss (I IM more than email), I'll just jump into the topic. No salutation needed.

If I do start something with "Hi, [1st name]" it is to someone I'm less familiar with or to an employee where I try to use the greeting to ease into the body of the email which will be something like "X was supposed to be done. Why isn't it done?"

 

[Zow]

Must be a geography or culture thing. I don't mind "sir" at all. And I say sir to someone unless I know they're 20 years younger than me. Don't get the dislike.

And in cases like the OP, unsure what other possible word they'd use than "Mr." when opening an email.

I get “sir” said to me all the time now and I approach it much like the sentiment in the offering a seat to a 55 year old woman thread.

It makes me feel old but I recognize the speakers intention in saying it is well-meaning so I try not to let it bother me and I definitely don’t hold it against the speaker in any way.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

The first time I got a "ma'am", I was nineteen. I damn near died. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Hint: It was NOT yesterday.

Welcome to The South.

 

[brun]

There's an additional discussion in this thread regarding being verbally called "Sir" or similar.
So my 2 cents.
I assume people that know me will call me by my 1st name (well, middle name, but that's another discussion). Otherwise, as long as it's not intentionally insulting, I'm ok with whatever, e.g. sir, bro, dude, boss, etc.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Must be a geography or culture thing. I don't mind "sir" at all. And I say sir to someone unless I know they're 20 years younger than me. Don't get the dislike.

And in cases like the OP, unsure what other possible word they'd use than "Mr." when opening an email.

The bulk of my emails, to or from, start with "Hi [1st name]". Just what I'm used to.

So for the new intern, you really didn't like him calling you "Mr"?

You would prefer he address you by your first name on day 1?

Or when?

How structured is your office? Are the interns on the same level as people at top of structure?

 

[QuizGuy66]

Good for them. I know you're joking but that's not old. That's an intern understanding heirarchy.

Heirarchy is how the intern will get in Mr Brun's will



-QG

 

[B Maverick]

Yeah, I hate getting "Sir'ed".

A 20/30-something guy was at our front entrance to our building at work and I was on my way out to lunch yesterday. Opened the door and he told me who he was and what he was there for... and then I heard the Ring doorbell-ish thingie speaker and it was our receptionist saying she was coming down. Knowing that he was taken care of I started walking towards my car and he gave me a "Thanks, boss". I much rather get "boss" than "sir".

"Boss" always sounds weird to me. Much rather get "Sir"

 

[Leroy Hoard]

"Boss" always sounds weird to me. Much rather get "Sir"

True. "Boss" reminds me a little too much of "Chief", or the always dreaded "Bub".

 

[Dezbelief]

"Boss" always sounds weird to me. Much rather get "Sir"

True. "Boss" reminds me a little too much of "Chief", or the always dreaded "Bub".

Boss reminds me of Cool Hand Luke.

 

[Golden Gopher]

"Boss" always sounds weird to me. Much rather get "Sir"

True. "Boss" reminds me a little too much of "Chief", or the always dreaded "Bub".

Boss reminds me of Cool Hand Luke.

"Shakin' the bush, boss!"

 

[Zow]

Yeah, I hate getting "Sir'ed".

A 20/30-something guy was at our front entrance to our building at work and I was on my way out to lunch yesterday. Opened the door and he told me who he was and what he was there for... and then I heard the Ring doorbell-ish thingie speaker and it was our receptionist saying she was coming down. Knowing that he was taken care of I started walking towards my car and he gave me a "Thanks, boss". I much rather get "boss" than "sir".

"Boss" always sounds weird to me. Much rather get "Sir"

Yes “boss” and “bud” - especially from like a client or a casual acquaintance- will draw an eyebrow raise from me.

 

[johnnycakes]

Yeah? Well, I had a chick call me "Papi" the other day. She was 37!

 

[Dezbelief]

Yeah? Well, I had a chick call me "Papi" the other day. She was 37!

Was she a Spanish speaker? Did she say Ay Papi? You should have replied Ay Mama.

 

[johnnycakes]

Yeah? Well, I had a chick call me "Papi" the other day. She was 37!

Was she a Spanish speaker? Did she say Ay Papi? You should have replied Ay Mama.

I'm going to use that line! Thank you very much for the tip!!

 

[brun]

Must be a geography or culture thing. I don't mind "sir" at all. And I say sir to someone unless I know they're 20 years younger than me. Don't get the dislike.

And in cases like the OP, unsure what other possible word they'd use than "Mr." when opening an email.

The bulk of my emails, to or from, start with "Hi [1st name]". Just what I'm used to.

So for the new intern, you really didn't like him calling you "Mr"?

It's not a "like". I just don't want him thinking that I prefer that level of formality.

You would prefer he address you by your first name on day 1?

Yes

Or when?

How structured is your office? Are the interns on the same level as people at top of structure?

I'm a QE, not in a position to define the structure, but I prefer less formality. I can say that everyone seems go along with less formality and there's plenty of voluntary social interaction whether it's golf or poker or whatever.

 

[kutta]

Must be a geography or culture thing. I don't mind "sir" at all. And I say sir to someone unless I know they're 20 years younger than me. Don't get the dislike.

And in cases like the OP, unsure what other possible word they'd use than "Mr." when opening an email.

The bulk of my emails, to or from, start with "Hi [1st name]". Just what I'm used to.

So for the new intern, you really didn't like him calling you "Mr"?

It's not a "like". I just don't want him thinking that I prefer that level of formality.

You would prefer he address you by your first name on day 1?

Yes

Or when?

How structured is your office? Are the interns on the same level as people at top of structure?

I'm a QE, not in a position to define the structure, but I prefer less formality. I can say that everyone seems go along with less formality and there's plenty of voluntary social interaction whether it's golf or poker or whatever.

But you have to respect the kid for taking the safe route right? I like it when youngsters don’t jump right to first names and nicknames. It’s a sign of respect.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Must be a geography or culture thing. I don't mind "sir" at all. And I say sir to someone unless I know they're 20 years younger than me. Don't get the dislike.

And in cases like the OP, unsure what other possible word they'd use than "Mr." when opening an email.

The bulk of my emails, to or from, start with "Hi [1st name]". Just what I'm used to.

Same. But the intern doesn't see you as a peer (you're not), and he's just trying to be respectful.

 

[Mitchie]

Personally hate being called sir. Noone young gets called sir so it's basically saying hey old guy or old looking guy.

 

[gianmarco]

One of the summer interns just sent me an email. It starts with "Dear Mr. Brun".
He must think I'm old.
Have a great day

Good for them. I know you're joking but that's not old. That's an intern understanding heirarchy.

I'm not sure what the expectation for an interns email heading is supposed to be here, if not that. Are we looking for "S'up Bro!"

Just bruh

Just brun

 

[Joe Bryant]

Must be a geography or culture thing. I don't mind "sir" at all. And I say sir to someone unless I know they're 20 years younger than me. Don't get the dislike.

And in cases like the OP, unsure what other possible word they'd use than "Mr." when opening an email.

The bulk of my emails, to or from, start with "Hi [1st name]". Just what I'm used to.

Same. But the intern doesn't see you as a peer (you're not), and he's just trying to be respectful.

Talk about feeling old. That this is a thing feels like the lady yelling at you for offering a seat.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I call young men “sir” all the time.

 

[Zow]

Personally hate being called sir. Noone young gets called sir so it's basically saying hey old guy or old looking guy.

I got called sir in a professional environment even in my 20s. That helped a bit to prime me for now being called sir even outside professional environments.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Must be a geography or culture thing. I don't mind "sir" at all. And I say sir to someone unless I know they're 20 years younger than me. Don't get the dislike.

And in cases like the OP, unsure what other possible word they'd use than "Mr." when opening an email.

The bulk of my emails, to or from, start with "Hi [1st name]". Just what I'm used to.

Same. But the intern doesn't see you as a peer (you're not), and he's just trying to be respectful.

Talk about feeling old. That this is a thing feels like the lady yelling at you for offering a seat.

Well, I *am* getting old, but in this case it's more like being senior. When I was in my 20s and starting out, I figured the silverbacks who had been around since the Nixon administration probably were owed a certain amount of respect. It's not that I didn't think that I belonged there too - it's just showing deference toward people who have earned it. Now that the roles are reversed, I don't mind informality, but I do appreciate professional respect.

 

[Mitchie]

Personally hate being called sir. Noone young gets called sir so it's basically saying hey old guy or old looking guy.

I got called sir in a professional environment even in my 20s. That helped a bit to prime me for now being called sir even outside professional environments.

you must look old

 

[Joe Bryant]

Well, I *am* getting old, but in this case it's more like being senior. When I was in my 20s and starting out, I figured the silverbacks who had been around since the Nixon administration probably were owed a certain amount of respect. It's not that I didn't think that I belonged there too - it's just showing deference toward people who have earned it. Now that the roles are reversed, I don't mind informality, but I do appreciate professional respect.

Same. Seems like I see less and less of this though. I don't know if it's me just being old or if things have actually changed.

When I was starting out, hierarchy and not having yet earned some things was just part of life. Now it seems different.