Signing with Initials
By Daniel Miessler on May 31st, 2008: Tagged as Psychology | Writing
Some sign their email and/or comments with initials. I usually find the behavior to be rather pompous — a self-statement of greatness. But I’m re-thinking it. I’m getting quite bored of:
–Daniel
What do you guys think?
drm
--
‘Digital Rights Management’… Don’t you currently feel sufficiently hated? ;-)
Comment by Adrian Bool — 5/31/2008 @ 7:19 pm
I have:
“Thanks, -j”
as the first part of my signature, just because I’m lazy, but depending on who I’m e-mailing I’ll often remove the -j and put my name in (too be a bit more “formal”).
I know lots of others who do the same.
Comment by Jeremy L. Gaddis — 5/31/2008 @ 8:14 pm
I’ve come to the point where I don’t even use a signature when sending internal company e-mail to folks I normally interact with. None of that, “Hi John,” and ending with, “Thanks, Bob.” The formality feels unnecessary and artificial, plus it physically makes e-mail threads longer to parse.
That said, I’d agree most would use initials as a short-hand because it’s easier. Sending something to an official contact outside the company would require the complete diplomatic package - full name, company logo and all.
Comment by Doc Rice — 6/1/2008 @ 1:36 am
A signature on a letter (along w the address) served to identify the sender - in an email that requirement is already fulfilled so unless ones email address is somehow obscure (dm25@hotmail.com) or not intuitable then “Daniel” conveys no extra info.
Formality (manners, etiquette, customs) serve to smooth interactions between strangers - therefore the amount of formality indicates the lack of trust between two parties. Inapproriate formality creates barriers.
But for you “DM” or “D” is way better than “drm”
AD
Comment by Arthur Doohan — 6/1/2008 @ 11:46 am
Interesting.
So the general theme of the responses makes sense — add additional signature information as the formality of the message increases.
Arthur, why is DM better than drm? Capitalization? Or the negative association with Digital Rights Management?
Comment by Daniel Miessler — 6/1/2008 @ 2:01 pm
DM is better because he thinks you are either DangerMouse or DungeonMaster: either of which are inexpressably cool ( especially with the D&D 4.0 release later this month ).
But to address the question there are indeed different standards of communication
Hacker My name’s in the from field, my email address is in the from field, what’s the point of salutation? Just send the message and be done. Think of all the precious bits you slaughter with you antiquated formality (Lenin would have loved high-tech).
Hacker trying to convince someone Adopt the formalities of Dear Blank / …Thomas J. Hacker
Manager All formalities, all the time, unless talking to staff and using the non-countable address “Team:”.
Middle-Manager Manager + Themed Graphic Stationary
Senior Manager Middle-Manager plus photo in header bar
Engineering Manager See Hacker
CEO Someone else writes my emails for me.
Comment by Steven G. Harms — 6/2/2008 @ 2:26 pm
Agggggghhh. Need preview function for comments.
Comment by Steven G. Harms — 6/2/2008 @ 2:27 pm
I hope you didn’t think I was pompous when sending you emails!
I use md as my signature and name for a lot of reasons.
I hate my last name. Dudlik. Its terrible. (dud-lick. not dude-lick, but still bad)
my website/email address show my name. Mark is common enough.
md makes me seem like i might be a doctor. (kidding)
I dont use all my initials because then i’d spell out mad.
I think its just a shorthand that can simplify things. I will sign Mark on first time or more formal emails, usually.
Ive been consistent enough with md that some people just call me that offline now too.
What I would find more pompous is people who use their entire names (and have numbers)
Thanks Mark Anthony Dudlik II
(seriously, worst name ever)
Comment by md — 6/3/2008 @ 2:04 am
LOL, nice comment, md.
Comment by Daniel Miessler — 6/3/2008 @ 3:43 am