Salutation Protocol
©Judy Vorfeld
Salutation Protocol
Recently someone asked, "Is it still proper to address a letter to a company as:
DEAR SIR OR MADAME?"
According to The Gregg Reference Manual, Seventh Edition, by William A. Sabin,
if you don't know the names of anyone in a large organization, but
know there are both men and women, use "Ladies and Gentlemen" or
"Gentleman and Ladies." Do not use Gentlemen alone. (Section 1350)
Here's an excellent site: General Tips for Letter Writing
And to go to this very valuable site, click here. It tells about: Spoken and Written Forms of Address for U.S. Government Officials, Military Personnel, Foreign Officials, Nobility, and Religious Officials - correct forms of address for U.S. Public officials, diplomats, religious leaders, royalty, the British peerage, and military personnel. For each personage the chart gives the appropriate form or forms to be used in addressing letters, in letter salutations, in direct conversation, and in more formal introductions.
If you're interested in addressing former office holders properly, click here.
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