Comments on: How to end an email (if you want a reply)

By: Catherine @ A Spirited Mind

Catherine @ A Spirited Mind — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 17:56:11 +0000

I always sign emails with “Thanks” and sometimes add an exclamation point if I’m asking for something or the email is otherwise short, so that it doesn’t sound abrupt. I can’t stand it when people sign off with “Best.” That has always struck me as smug and smarmy. “All the best” is much nicer!

By: Marcia (OrganisingQueen)

Marcia (OrganisingQueen) — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 12:35:55 +0000

I’m sure that Rebels (on Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies framework) would be irritated by the “thanks in advance” ending but it doesn’t bother me one way or the other (I”m an Upholder like you, Laura).

I sign off “Thank you so much!” which is exactly how I speak so I think (hope?) people feel my authenticity.

By: ARC

ARC — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 16:46:40 +0000

In reply to Katherine.

Hehe – I had to ask my (introvert, software engineer) husband to include a greeting in his emails to my parents instead of just launching into whatever he needed to say 🙂 And also, including something to sign off the message as well. And now he does this for me too, which is a nice side effect 🙂

By: Lee Chilvers

Lee Chilvers — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 15:27:33 +0000

I’ve never really thought about it before! I think I just say “thanks” most of the time, or sometimes just “regards”. It depends on the email really. But maybe I’ll try the “thanks in advance” thing if I want the recipient to do something for me 🙂

By: Daikuro @ SimplicityBlogger.com

Daikuro @ SimplicityBlogger.com — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 00:48:56 +0000

Interesting study. But I still think that conversations should come naturally. Some statements may work for some people but it will not apply to everyone.

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 18:45:07 +0000

In reply to ARC.

@ARC- I think that’s the reason I’ve not been fond of it either – the presumption. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but that’s probably it.

By: ARC

ARC — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 00:10:58 +0000

In reply to cathy.

YES! I always feel weird about that phrase – it seems so presumptuous because you’ve asked for something and essentially assume that they’ll do it. That being said, I do use it at work and it does seem to work 🙂

I’ve also found that putting the question/request last helps too, otherwise people forget about the question if you put all the background/chatty stuff at the end of the message 😀

By: Christina

Christina — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 23:47:21 +0000

I tend to use “Thanks” a lot. Even in emails where I have given information and not asked anything! A quirk I keep an eye on if there is a better closing phrase to use, but I think “Thanks/Thank you” has become a pretty universal or generic way to end a conversation. It doesn’t always mean “thanks” anymore.

By: smh

smh — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 22:59:55 +0000

In reply to cathy. I agree, Cathy. "Thanks in advance" makes me feel put upon as well as the "beneficiary" of communication studies advice. But it's advice that apparently works in the sense of producing a response.

By: cathy

cathy — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 21:02:18 +0000

In reply to Ana.

I’ve always felt that “thanks in advance” was great for the person saying it – it’s the end of that project for them because they have already asked for and thanked me for something that I have not agreed to do. But it makes me feel taken advantage of, if that makes sense, I know there will be no “thank you” after I have done the job.