Hello! I’m Macy Manners and I’m here to help with all your questions regarding proper attire, rules of social graces and online etiquette. Feel free to send in your questions and I’ll try and answer them in a future article.
Today we are talking about letters. In today’s digital age, you might ask why would you care about letters but there are times when formal communication is necessary.
All answers to invitations should be addressed to the party issuing them.
Letters to a woman who is a comparative stranger may begin My dear Mrs. Smith and to a closer acquaintance Dear Mrs. Smith.
Letters to a man who is a comparative stranger may begin My dear Mr. Smith and to a closer acquaintance Dear Mr. Smith.
For forms of addressing persons with titles, as Mayor, see under that title–as, Mayor, Governor.
The letters may end, Sincerely yours, or Very truly yours, or I remain yours with kindest regards.
The signature of a man should be John J. Smith or J. Jones Smith.
An unmarried woman should sign social letters as Mary Smith, and a business letter as Miss Mary Smith. A married woman should sign a social letter as just her first and last name. ie: Amy Jones.
In signing a business letter, a married woman may either sign her name Mrs. Amy Jones or, preferably,
Amy Jones
(Mrs. John Jones)
Now you know how to sign formal correspondence, so sit down and put it to use. Try sending out a letter to someone, not an email, but one in the actual postal mail. Surprise a friend or a loved one and send them a note, letting them know you are thinking of them.
