A while ago I posted this on Facebook and thought you might find it interesting and/or mildly amusing:
One of life's small and insignificant puzzles: what's the best way to end a missive/message/text/e-mail? I guess you don't need a sign-off for a text--which most younger people seem to prefer to e-mail these days. In the old days it was easy. Just: Sincerely, XXX. Now people say "warmly" or xoxo or they use a wordless emoji. I tend to say nothing, which feels abrupt. Or scribble something pleasant but meaningless like "All best." How about you?
Here are some Facebook responses:
Depends on the formality and who I'm addressing. Also follow-up messages in a thread don't need anything.
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I struggle with this. I hate "best," but lots of colleagues use that, and I often default to nothing. But I guess that's considered rude. So.
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I seem to remember many of my academic colleagues signing off "Cheers," and it always annoyed me because they weren't British. And I don't think Brits use "cheers" these days anyway.
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I use "Cheers" a lot.
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And I'm sure you do it with panache.
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Natch.
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I usually write "take care" because it can be both meaningless and meaningful. In general, I wish everyone well and if it's someone with whom I actually mean it, I write "Take care of yourself." Life has taught me if you don't take care, no one else will. So in general , I find it expresses a certain truth.
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Is it a close friend, a friend, an acquaintance, colleague, or business? My sign off depends on who I'm writing to.
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More and more, I just end the e-mail without any send-off and more and more it looks fine to me and not abrupt. Sincerely, and with best wishes, your friend, Kay.
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These are questions that plague me.
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I want to say "love" to some people, but I guess that's presumptuous.
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"Best" really irritates me. Best what?
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I think it's short for "best regards."
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"Best wishes." "Best of luck."
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I've ended messages with "joy and luck" or "joy, luck, and love" for decades now. Dunno where I picked it up.
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I'm a "warm regards" kinda girl.
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Most people I send to get xoxo. Kisses and hugs. I like "warmly" too.
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I often close with blessings, but for known skeptics I may close with a neutral thanks, and for British friends I may close with cheers. Also--Orson Welles had his famous sign-off, "Obediently yours,"--rather curious from a man known for his disobedience to norms.
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