Personal opening to a letter?

Question

I want to know if, as I've heard, it's considered rude to not say something personal at the beginning of a business correspondence. U.S.-style business letters get right to the point and we appreciate that. I've heard that Latin-American-style business letters are supposed to start out with solicitous inquiries or hopes for the well-being of the reader's family. Is that correct?

Good question! I'm watching it to see how one of our "natives" responds. - territurtle, Sep 2, 2011

2nd the "good question" assessment. - 0074b507, Sep 2, 2011

Answer 1

I am not so sure it would be considered rude or not, but it is very common to start with something like "Espero que se encuentre bien....." etc.

Answer 2

In a Spanish business letters you dont need to say Dear Mr/Mrs....< just Sr/Sra ...and in most of the the Spanish speaking countries DONT ask for the family; for the most I agree with Lazarus

Answer 3

At least in the UK, the most feared letters always begins with "Thanks for..." After that, you get a "but", and after that you wish you weren't born. All very polite.

The most feared letter in the USA starts with "Greetings," and it then goes on to say how you are now a member of the army - at least until the draft was done away with, but it could start up again at any moment.

I've heard that all my life. But I don't think the U.S. will reinstate the draft unless there is another world war. Too many political repurcussions, otherwise. - MrSillyInc, Sep 9, 2011

Answer 4

I can't promise it won't be rude if you don't do that in all countries, but generally, the business mail I am familiar tends to be as aseptic as the English one, but with our expressions.

While some of these greetings could (nicely) wish health and other things, going to the point while pouring icing sugar for politeness can be found almost everywhere. You don't write a letter saying "Give me the money!" At least in the UK, the most feared letters always begins with "Thanks for..." After that, you get a "but", and after that you wish you weren't born. All very polite.

Subjectively speaking, Spanish tends to be a bit more empathic in this sense, so threats sound as such from the first line (albeit polite), and friendly mail sounds friendly from the start... even while politeness and formality are religiously kept. Some typical salutations include wishing good health and prosperous business, etc. I wouldn't go as far as sounding rude if you omit these, but I would definitely copy the style of other letters sent from and to the country you are in touch with.

Along with Julian I laughed myself silly with your "Thanks for ..." - territurtle, Sep 8, 2011