How to Find Out Whether Your Co-Workers Hate You

Hiya,

About that meeting yesterday. I am looking forward to you delivering on the projects you committed to. 

Thanks in advance.

—X

If this message sends a chill up your spine, there’s a good reason. Preply surveyed 1,000 people(Opens in a new window) to find out how email greetings and sign-offs are perceived by recipients. Work emails can be the most fraught, with 91% saying that their co-workers are sometimes passive-aggressive over email. This has made email recipients attuned to tone, and 46% say they can tell a coworker’s mood just by those two factors.

Another element that could be a clue is the age of the sender. Gen Z is the group most likely to express frustration through greetings and sign-offs. Sending…

@zaidjewels(Opens in a new window) Doing weird email sign-offs until my boss notices😃 #fyp(Opens in a new window) #foryou(Opens in a new window) #foryoupage(Opens in a new window) #zaidjewels(Opens in a new window) #torontojeweller(Opens in a new window) #emailsignoffs(Opens in a new window) #emailsignoff(Opens in a new window) #prankonboss(Opens in a new window) #officeprank(Opens in a new window) #officevibes(Opens in a new window) #funoffice(Opens in a new window) #officetrends(Opens in a new window) @zarakhant ♬ original sound – kooze(Opens in a new window)

…and receiving them…

@oilshore(Opens in a new window) Replying to @Jaime Suzanne cue all the boomers commenting ‘this is unprofessional you should be fired’ 🙄#genz(Opens in a new window) #workhumour(Opens in a new window) #emailsignoffs(Opens in a new window) #workhumour(Opens in a new window) #corporatelife(Opens in a new window) #genzworker(Opens in a new window) #corporatelife(Opens in a new window) ♬ Gangnam Style – Gangnam Style(Opens in a new window)

…is even a TikTok trend.

Survey respondents ranked the “most savage” greetings. The scariest one you can receive is no greeting at all—an email that just dives right in. The next most savage starts with “Hiya.” Slightly better are greetings that involve your name: “[Your name]:,” “Hiya [Your name],” and “[Your name],.” You’ll know your co-worker is truly mad at you if a message ends with just their name, “Thanks in advance,” “Respectfully,” or the ever-chilling “Cheers.” 

Tweet(Opens in a new window)

But honestly, you’re going to have to read between the lines on these based on your knowledge of the sender’s usual style; many survey respondents consider the “savage” greetings and sign-offs to be common and casual. 

Tweet(Opens in a new window)

Using the name Karen to stand in for a colleague, respondents’ common email greetings are:

• “Hi Karen,” (67%)

• “Good morning/afternoon/evening Karen,” (54%)

• “Good morning/afternoon/evening,” (53%)

• “Hello Karen,” (48%)

• “Hi,” (42%)

• “Hello,” (41%)

• “Karen,” (35%)

• “Hey Karen,” (26%)

• “Dear Karen,” (19%)

• “Hey,” (15%)

If you’re looking for a new sign-off, survey respondents like:

• “Thank you,” (80%)

• “Thanks,” (71%)

• “(Just their name),” (47%)

• “Thanks in advance,” (41%)

• “Sincerely,” (40%)

• “Regards,” (27%)

• “Respectfully,” (23%)

• “Best,” (22%)

• “Take care,” (20%)

• “Regards,” (16%)

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