Greeting a man

How should you great a male business partner? A good tip is to start by being more, rather than less, formal and then to follow the signals sent by your partner. For example, if you use his family name, he may offer his first name, as here:

Good morning, Mr Taylor.

Oh, please call me Michael.

Ok. I’am Suzanne.

This method is also useful for writing. Start your first letter or e-mail with “Dear Mr Taylor”. If you then get a reply that begins with “Dear Suzanne” and ends with “Best regards, Michael”, you should start your next letter with “Dear Michael”. Note that titles such as “Mr”, “Dr” and “Ms” are normally written without full stops in British English and with full stops in American English (“Mr.”).

Greeting a woman

The same rules apply when greeting a female business partner

Hello, Ms Harvey.

Oh, do call me Carol.

Ok, Carol. I’m Pauline.

The title “Ms” is a neutral form for addressing a woman, whether or not she is married. This is normally the safest form to use. However, if a woman introduces herself (or writes to you) using one of the traditional forms of address – “Mrs” for a married woman or “Miss” for an unmarried woman – it is polite to follow her style.

Unlike in Germany, it is very unusual (outside universities) for people to use the title “Dr” unless they are medical doctors. Also, the titles “Dr” and “Professor” are not combined, either in written or spoken English.

Good morning, Dr Brown.

We are pleased to welcome Professor Jones.

Dear Professor Dr Jones

The general titles “Sir” and “Madam” are often used as polite forms when talking to customers, either in person or on the phone. Do not use “Mr” or “Mrs” here, as this sounds impolite.

Can I help you, madam?

Thank you, sir.

Izvor: Spotlight, English at work, 2006.

U ponudi naše tvrtke su i tečajevi poslovnog engleskog jezika koje održava izvorni govornik engleskog jezika. Tečajevi poslovnog engleskog su individualni, broj sati prema dogovoru s polaznikom, a nastavni program prilagođen potrebama polaznika, pri čemu naglasak stavljamo na specifičnu poslovnu komunikaciju koja je polazniku potrebna za određeno područje njegovog zvanja. Za više informacija stojimo na raspolaganju: info@pavuna.hr, 099 570 26 48, 01 339 82 36