Usage of First Name or Last Name in Mail Communication

wernergrh · 2025-09-16T19:03:37+02:00

Discuss how to address people in emails in Mauritius: first name vs. last name. Share tips and cultural insights for respectful communication.

wernergrh New member

Member since 27 July 2024

wernergrhNew member16 September 2025 17:03:37

Hello all,

as originally from Germany I am used to call everybody by her/his last name - unless in more private communications.

Here almost always only the first name is used, even in e-mails - i.e. from my local bank.

I feel a little bit uncomfortable to answer then 鈥濰ello Valerie鈥� instead of using the last name. I want to treat everybody with respect. But I want to do this of course in the best way as usual here in Mauritius and may be my way of distance is less welcome.

How do you handle this? Are there any kind of rules? I would like to know more about that..

Ronald Munodawafa Member

Member since 25 May 2024

Ronald MunodawafaMember17 September 2025 01:51:08

You can use:

Hi <First_Name>, <<< Accepted and the norm in English-speaking relationship-driven business environments where rapport needs to be established. It's not considered informal or disrespectful.

Dear <First_Name>, <<< Feels personal and best reserved for when someone is your dear.

Dear <Title> <Surname>, <<< Traditional for *extremely* formal contexts. Unless you are emailing the King of England, it may be too cold.

Dear Sir, <<< Cold

Dear Madam. <<< Cold

Just don't 'Hello' or 'Hey' unless you are on a telephone - that's too casual and risks being rude. Don't skip people's names as well. All of the above are acceptable. Just a difference in business culture between German-speaking and English-speaking environments. No one will be offended if you use one of the forms. If in doubt, you can always ask as a postscript. What's key is understanding that business English is a dialect of English with its own vocabulary and idioms.

If you are interested, how you sign off is also contextual. Here is a BBC article on the topic titled "Should e-mails open with Dear, Hi, or Hey?"