For some reason I’ve been paying attention lately to how people sign their e-mails and thought I’d throw out a few thoughts. I’d be particularly interested to hear from people on the strangest sign-offs they’ve received.
Below is a list of some of the more common sign-offs along with my take on what they really mean.
- Cheers! – I’m cool! Best – I don’t want to be locked into a specific sign-off – please interpret as you wish (best wishes, best regards, best cheers, etc.)
- All the best – When “Best” simply isn’t good enough
- _C_iao! – I’m cool! and trying to act foreign
- Sincerely – I took this really great business writing class in high school
- Thanks – I really do mean thanks (when used correctly) / I can’t think of anything else to say (when used incorrectly, for example at the bottom of a flame e-mail)
- Hope all is well – Please DO NOT write back with details of whether you are well or not – I’m just trying to be polite
- Warm regards – I’ve just returned from my latest analyst session and am feeling pretty centered
- [nothing but your name] – S_ometimes less is more_
- [not even your name – just your full signature] – I’m so efficient/important/etc. that I don’t
have time to even type in my name
With my very cheeriest and best thanks and regards. Here’s hoping all is well
Sincerely,
seth j. levine
mobius venture capital