Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies • Hacker News Board

Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies

#51

Post by tkgally » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 4:14 AM UTC

ineedasername wrote: post #10

suchow wrote: post #5

This is an excellent example of why inferring causation from an observed correlation requires great care. Note that the study did not randomly assign valedictions to emails and observe the causal impact on response rate. Rather, they observed a correlation between the sign-off chosen and the response rate. "Thanks" garners many responses because people use it in emails that make reasonable requests with a good chance…

>"I am, &c.," I've never heard that before, is it cultural/regional? (Compared to US)

Samuel Johnson, among others in 18th-century Britain, used it:

https://archive.org/details/lettersjohnson01hilluoft/page/n2...

Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies

#52

Post by normaler » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 4:38 AM UTC

I often get slightly angry when the Mail is in the format of:

Hi normal,

Do this. Thanks.

Greetings,

projectmanager

This implies to me that the other Party has decided my course of action and my time alocation without any discussion about my availability and if the approach makes sense.

Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies

#53

Post by selcuka » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 4:38 AM UTC

mjfl wrote: post #3

Doesn't "thanks" imply a request was made, and "best" imply the end of a conversation? Did they just analyze a bunch of emails blind?

They seem to have (somewhat) controlled for it:

https://blog.boomerangapp.com/2017/01/how-to-end-an-email-em...

Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies

#54

Post by tfigment » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 4:41 AM UTC

ghoomketu wrote: post #49

Maybe it's an Indian thing but I generally end most of my emails with "Awaiting your reply..." and sure enough I always get a reply. I guess when you end with that, it makes it clear that I'm waiting for the other person to reply to me. We also write "please do the needful" and "please advise" a lot in our emails too :/

I don't know why but 'please do the needful' really gets under my skin. It feels very demanding for some reason.

Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies

#55

Post by klvino » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 4:46 AM UTC

djmips wrote: post #50

variaga wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Every message you send is implicitly requesting something though - the time and attention of the person reading it. Time is one of the most precious commodities we have - it seems appropriate to thank people for spending it on you. Thanks, variaga

One thing is clear to me, everyone signing off on their comments is kinda nice. Yours truly, DG

Agree, it brings a proper closing to the individual discourse.

Regards, The Lannisters

Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies

#56

Post by mcbishop » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 4:49 AM UTC

mmahemoff wrote: post #31

By coincidence, the passive-aggressive "Thanks in advance" is also the one I'm most likely to report spam on.

Yeah, it feels manipulative. If I do reply, I'm more likely to be curt.

Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies

#57

Post by throwawayboise » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 4:49 AM UTC

civilized wrote: post #7

I hate it when people use thanks for everything . What, you're thanking me for reading the email announcing the re-org? It reads as mindless and weird. I'm a "best" guy. It's never inappropriate. Whether I'm promoting you, firing you, reporting up on progress or problems, "best" always works. (I'm not saying it's the best closer in all situations, but if you hate thinking about closers, it's the best generic choice.…

I can't stand "Best" as a closer. "Best wishes" is OK, as is "Best regards" but "Best" on its own is going to get your email into the "deal with it later" queue.

Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies

#58

Post by Jach » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 4:51 AM UTC

noduerme wrote: post #29

pottertheotter wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always laugh a little when I get emails from someone still in college. They are so formal, even after I reply in a less formal manner. I don’t blame them as I did the same thing.

I'm still pretty formal with new clients. It takes me years to leave out a valediction with some. But on the other hand, my favorite valediction is usually "Cheers," since it seems the most casual and least demanding. Still, I always worry this gives away the fact that I'm an alcoholic. My runner up is "Yours," which I see didn't make the list.

"Cheers" is my favorite too, even though I don't drink alcohol. Some people probably take it the wrong way, but whatever.

Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies

#59

Post by bavell » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 4:52 AM UTC

civilized wrote: post #7

I hate it when people use thanks for everything . What, you're thanking me for reading the email announcing the re-org? It reads as mindless and weird. I'm a "best" guy. It's never inappropriate. Whether I'm promoting you, firing you, reporting up on progress or problems, "best" always works. (I'm not saying it's the best closer in all situations, but if you hate thinking about closers, it's the best generic choice.…

Totally agree but instead I use "Regards". Always works and I never have to think about it.

Regards,

Another guy on the internet

Re: Closing email with “thanks” gets the most replies

#60

Post by mcbishop » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 4:53 AM UTC

_nickwhite wrote: post #9

“Thanks” has become such a disingenuous generic ending on e-mails that I’ve stopped using it altogether. And it hasn’t seemed to reduce my replies or cause people to think I’m “not nice.” I end every single e-mail with “-NW” and if I want to say “thanks” I do it in a real way in the body of the message.

I just end emails with my name. ...Plainly indicating that the email is done and I'm signing off on it. I tend to express any gratitude at the start of the email.