Why can't we do away with the etiquette of signing a letter as 'Yours truly', 'Yours sincerely', etc.?

Answer 1

Dear Sir / Madam

I am writing with regards to your question. I receive and send letters all the time, and your right it is a load of pompous old-fashioned crap. but there you go.

Yours Sincerely

Sir Rupert Charlie-Farley

Answer 2

Dear Chinrasu,

I'm with Clive one this one. It's what sets us apart from the apes and what sets a literate person apart from the raving lunatic in the street. I favor progression rather than regression. Next will we not address the letters as well? We'll leave it blank or just say Hey You,.... then just start right in with body of the letter because we can't take the time? What comes after that? Let's do away with goodbyes on the phone as well. When you're done talking just hang up. Look, when it comes to language you can do whatever you want. However, trailblazers have to do most of the work and are met with most resistance.

Faithfully Yours,
Bert

Answer 3

Good question. This is what I think. Little things like that matter to people, it's like saying "please" or "thank you" or "excuse me" Little words like that matter, because if you don't say those things, people won't know what you're thinking of or why you did it. Was it on purpose... accident? Then they'll just automatically think you're rude. Especially in a letter, the reader can't see what your facial expressions are when you wrote the letter, or how you wanted to express the letter. Were you sad, dissappointed, estatic? Usually when you get threat letters, they don't reply with a "Yours truly" or anything, or another example is, when you get love letter or something from a husband in Iraq it usually ends with "Love, ...." Then with those signings, they can reassure that the letter was supposed to be a kind thought.

Answer 4

Because we like our reader to have the impression that we really care about their feelings. After all, etiquette is all about doing the right thing at the right time, so that everyone gets along.

What would you propose as a replacement?
"I'm done, later, dude!"
"Write back fast, like, OK?"
"There, I'm done with this (*&$ letter"

Note that "Sincerely," - in a more formal, business letter - and "Regards," - in a more personal letter - are perfectly acceptable and quite short. Surely you have the time to include one of these.

Sincerely,
Wide Awake

Answer 5

I can only reiterate what Wide Awake stated, I certainly couldn`t tell people how to reply knowing because our system is so antiquated, I just hope what I use at the end is sufficient for the receiver to understand the importance of a reply!

Answer 6

We pretty much have, to a point... all I get now is Kind or Best Regards. The etiquette of joining your pleasantries with your introduction (i.e Dear Sir - Your's Faithfully) drives most people I know mad, to be honest, and I really don't think anyone cares any more!

Answer 7

Because if comes off as abrupt at the end of the letter and lets the person know that we can at least pretend we are civil

Answer 8

Times are moving on now, you can sign whatever you want, there are no rules really. any how, i use Kind Regards most of the time now.

If you want to "do away" with those closing of letters, then do so mate, let yourself go, dont bother writting it, that is if it bothers you that much !! x

Answer 9

I wrote a letter to me Ex wife's solicitors.
Dear Sir,
I am sitting in the WC and have your letter in front of me. Soon I will put it behind me.

Answer 10

because its polite especially if u dont know the person u r writing too, i wouldnet sign a letter to my bank manger saying lots of love would u