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How have you been writing your work emails lately? While it's not a new habit, the opener “I hope this email finds you well” — sometimes extended with a phrase like “in these difficult times” — has become so common in the time of coronavirus that it's inspired many funny tweets. One of my favorites: “‘i hope this email finds you,' she threatened.”
(Corporette readers were even devising a drinking game around such phrases the other day!)
The line can sound rote and insincere, but when you consider the possibility that the person you're emailing may be sick, caring for a sick family member, dealing with coronavirus-related mental health issues, and so on, it can feel odd to jump right into the business at hand.
Readers, do tell: How have you been handling this issue in your emails lately?
For those who don't fit into the categories of coworkers or friends, such as casual acquaintances or people I've corresponded with before, I've frequently been starting emails with a line like “I hope you [and your family] are doing OK.” I feel like it acknowledges the situation we're all in without coming off as “I hope you're doing great!” … because there's a good chance they're not. Really, there's no perfect solution for this.
Another question: How have you been wrapping up your emails? In pre-pandemic times, unless I signed off with some version of “Thanks,” I often wrote, “Have a great week,” “Have a great weekend,” and so on. Many of us are clearly not having a “great” anything right now, so (to me at least), it feels kind of strange to write (or receive) that message.
My usual email closer is now “Be well” — I can't count the number of times I've written it lately. I hope it seems genuine to the recipients, because it is. “Take care” and “Stay safe” are two other options that I've seen, but they may not sound professional enough for some business situations.
How have you been opening and signing your emails during the pandemic? Does it depend on whether you're writing to a colleague you already know versus someone you've never met or spoken with before?
Further Reading:
- “Hope You’re Well”: Emailing Through a Time of Pandemic [WIRED]
- Will Coronavirus Finally End the Scourge of “I Hope This Email Finds You Well”? [MEL Magazine]
- Unpleasantries: Don’t Start an Email With “I Hope This Finds You Well” [Observer] (pre-coronavirus)
- 5 Better Alternatives to “I Hope This Email Finds You Well” [Grammarly] (pre-coronavirus)
Stock photo via Deposit Photos / evrmmnt.
Anon
I really appreciate the sentiment behind this, to treat your business contacts as human beings who are struggling.
Have to ask: would a guy get this wound up about the tone of his emails, or just bang out an email?
anon
Good damn point: “would a guy get this wound up about the tone of his emails…”
If I know the work colleague I will ask how they are doing, or close the email in more personal “Take care, stay healthy” fashion. Otherwise, it’s business emails as usual. None of the men sending me emails have changed their tune during this pandemic. Why should I waste mental energy on this?
Anon
AMEN, there are 10,000 other more important things I need to think about.
anon
I’m getting a lot of ‘hope you are doing well’ in emails from men. Also leadership (mostly men) has been pretty great and stressing that we all are human.
I sign of with ‘take care’ a lot more than I used to.
Anon
Right, but are they worrying about saying “hope you are doing well” too much?
Small Law Partner
I actually do hope people are well, but I feel insincere and otherwise uncomfortable putting this stuff in emails. I don’t include anything extra due to coronavirus and just get down to business. I have noticed it is mostly women writing these things in emails and rarely men.
Cat
Yes this. I only do this if it’s the first time I’ve communicated with someone in 2+ weeks. Otherwise I’m just acting as if we’re in the office like normal.
Anon
Surely we’ve all read the brilliant poem by Jessica Salfia, “First Lines of Emails I’ve Received” ?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/poem-first-lines-emails-received-while-quarantining/2020/04/22/a83d6276-80cf-11ea-a3ee-13e1ae0a3571_story.html
Jules
That’s painfully funny. posted this the other day but am re-posting because it’s hilarious. And because in these unprecedented and difficult times, we’re all in this together, and advertisers are there for us.
https://adage.com/creativity/work/microsoft-sam-every-covid-19-commercial-exactly-same/2251551
Southern Living in TX
To friends and family, I sign off with “wash your hands” or #washyourhands
I usually open all emails – even to colleagues with – I hope you and your family are doing well.