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Author Topic: HELP! Need "hand-written" letter etiquette!  (Read 1717 times)
Katie G
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« on: September 05, 2001, 10:05:47 am »

Geez, didn't know anybody wrote anything by hand anymore!



We have a situation where a typed/word processed letter would be rather cold and inappropriate so we need a hand-written note from my supervisor to an alumnus.  Bossie's handwriting is self-described as "chicken scratch" so I've got the job of actually writing the note.  



Who actually signs it?



Since it's from Bossie, I'd normally think he would, but it will look very stupid since our handwritings are nothing alike.  It would also give away the fact that he didn't write it himself (which kinda trumps the whole hand-written note idea).  Is is okay for me to sign his name just so it "looks right"?  (We've never met this person and it's highly unlikely we every will.)



Thanks,

Did
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chris68
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« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2001, 11:28:35 am »

What I would do is sign bossies name and put a slash and your initials by it.  That way he won't know who wrote the letter, but knows someone signed it for him, and that is done all the time, especially when bossies travel so much like ours do.  I am uncomfortable signing bossies name but have no prblem letting someone know I've signed his name with my initials by it.  



Just my .02 cents.



Chris68
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countrigal
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« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2001, 12:05:21 am »

I've asked around and what I've heard from other admins is that if it needs bossie's signature, then either go with a friendly sounding (non-professional format type) typed letter with his signature, or he writes it in his very best, time consuming penmanship, or you write it and sign it with your name and "for" over his signature block.



I would opt to type the letter in a friendly manner (and have done this on several occassions - even my letters to my family will be typed).  You can make a typed letter friendly and sincere, especially if you make a comment like "sorry, I would love to have given you a written letter but with my writing you wouldn't have been able to read it.  With the choice of handwriting and illegible or typewriten and legible, I thought you'd appreciate being able to read it more than receiving an illegible note".  Something like that makes it personal, informal yet allows it to be typed.  And any letter that's of a business content should be typed - just making it less "uptight" by changing format and sentence structure (more friendly, informal).



Good luck.  Let us know what is decided.  (even Gregg Reference Manual was no help on this one.)
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elleny
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« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2001, 12:18:31 am »

I send out stuff on behalf of our outside sales guys all the time.  What I do for the signature (and this suggestion was from our CEO) is sign the name and then put a slash with my initials on it.  All the companies I've sent them to have not cared.  





Ellen (rain, rain go away. come again another day) in TX  
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Katie G
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« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2001, 01:47:43 pm »

Well, I went with the slash and initials after the signature.  And you're right, all of the reference manuals were of no help whatsoever on this one.  I spent 45 minutes researching online etiquette sites and secretarial handbooks!  (Of course, Emily Post would probably frown on poor handwriting in the first place, not to mention having somebody hand write it for someone else!  Egad!  )



Thanks to all!
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