If it's a business/nonpersonal communication, I generally err on the side of formal! I remember doing quite a bit of emailing when I was applying for an internship, and even when the director began emails more casually, I still replied with, "Dear [Title] [Director's Name]" or at best "Dear [Director's First Name", and closed semiformally as well ("Thank you," or "Sincerely", etc.).
The director told me once that my writing was part of why she chose me, but didn't clarify as to whether she meant mainly clearness/grammar or form/style used. *shrugs*
Maybe taking Japanese for a couple semesters influenced me unduly, but it seemed normal to me that even when my superior addressed me casually I should still offer a somewhat more formal address in return.
no subject
If it's a business/nonpersonal communication, I generally err on the side of formal! I remember doing quite a bit of emailing when I was applying for an internship, and even when the director began emails more casually, I still replied with, "Dear [Title] [Director's Name]" or at best "Dear [Director's First Name", and closed semiformally as well ("Thank you," or "Sincerely", etc.).
The director told me once that my writing was part of why she chose me, but didn't clarify as to whether she meant mainly clearness/grammar or form/style used. *shrugs*
Maybe taking Japanese for a couple semesters influenced me unduly, but it seemed normal to me that even when my superior addressed me casually I should still offer a somewhat more formal address in return.