How to address someone

[kendalcottages]

On my own website's contact form, I ask for the enquirer's title and, in my first reply, always begin with "Dear Mr. Bloggs..." I sign off with just 'Paul' and invariably get a "Dear Paul" message if they reply back. Is it then OK for me to say "Dear Fred..." or should I still keep things formal?

Also, if an enquiry comes from another site where the title is not asked for and I just get something like "Frieda Bloggs", do I say "Dear Mrs. Bloggs" (could be wrong) or "Dear Ms. Bloggs" (some don't like 'Ms.') or "Dear Frieda" (could be considered too informal)... or something else?

Thanks.

[Margaret]

We leave that part open to enquirers to fill in. So some enquiries come in as Mr or Mrs plus initial and they get a formal reply. Most of the first name and surname enquiries get a reply to their first name. Sometimes I go more formal with North Americans (they often address me as Mrs. first time as our names are clearly on the website) and enquirers from the Middle East. I hate people (I mean telesales people) being over familiar with me when I don't know them and didn't ask them to call. But I think with enquiries they are looking to set up potentially a communication so one can err on the side of familiarity. Especially as 100% of our guests are on first name terms with us by the time they arrive.

[KathyG]

I always use their christian name.

[la vache!]

I always use the first name for all nationalities except the French, where I stick to Monsieur and Madame if that is the way the enquiries are signed, as they often are by older people enquiring. It is more respectful.

[James3214]

On all English or American enquiries I use their first name. For any others, mainly Europeans I keep it formal and use their surname with the translated equivalent of 'Dear'. Only after they address me with the first name do I reply with the same.

[barbersdrove]

I take my lead from them. I usually use the formal Mr/Mrs etc in my first communication then if they write back dear Julie I use their first name when replying. I also start with Hi/ dear/ Hello etc if that's what they start with. I think it's a bit the same as a face to face meeting. Mirroring the other person is supposed to set up some kind of rapport (if you believe in that sort of thing)

[Windy]

What Margaret said

[lorca]

we use their first name (unless they don´t give it obviously )

[kendalcottages]

Thank you - it's good to get a range of opinions. I particularly like barbersdrove's way of tackling it. Seems to make sense.