Someone I works with signs off her emails with “Have a blessed day.” I may be a godless heathen atheist but really, I’m not offended, as I understand that she means well, wishes me well, etc. But it strikes me as unprofessional to use that instead of, say, “Have a great day.”
Thoughts? Opinions? (Public!) poll on the way …
Try signing things “have a God free day” and see how many people at your work point out how unprofessional that is.
I dunno. “Have a great day” sounds insincere to me. While I don’t agree with the notion of “blessedness”, I think I’d appreciate that there’s at least an attempt at personalization there.
I hate signatures on emails that contain anything more than name/ company/ address/ position/ phone/ fax and all the business related stuff. Keep it simple.
Don’t have a tree and attempt to guilt me into not printing it.
Don’t have a “blessed day” or say that we should never forget 9/11.
And don’t have a picture of yourself sitting in a cubicle as your signature (I have seen this and I feel so bad for the person as I assume it’s not by choice).
If I had tenure, I would like to have ‘If you had but one neck, I’d hack it through’ at the end of my emails, but I suspect people might take it the wrong way.
A terrible, evangelizing attempt. Skip the personalization unless you happen to actually know the person quite well on a personal basis.
I am a Christian (or am I? We can go back to the “Are Catholics Christians” debate) and I think it’s inappropriate.
StG
One of my commuter friends is a Very Christian Lady who tells us all to “have a blessed day.” After looking somewhat stunned the first time, I just smile and say “you too, dear,” as I figure that is just her odd, odd way.
Work-related, though? Depends what kind of business it is.
But . . . I had completely forgotten 9/11, till you just mentioned it!
Salutations and closings are just meaningless fluff.
I’m an atheist but I’m not offended is somebody writes “Have a blessed day” or “Peace be unto you” or “May the seed of your loin be fruitful in the belly of your woman”. They’re all essentially equivalent to “hello” or “good bye”.
I find it’s easier if you just average it out and remember 10.
No, actually, they aren’t - words mean things. They have used the words that tell you that they are a Christian, and they like to evangelize in work-related situations which is probably inappropriate.
Not really. They’re equivalent to “Hello! I’m a Christian!” and “Goodbye! I’m a Christian!”
All I get out of seeing that kind of stuff is “That person is potential a judgmental Christian and I sure the heck had better watch what I say around them.” In other words, it’s OK for them to spew their religion at me, but I know the shit would hit the fan if anyone tried to spew Islam or Atheism or Buddhism back at them.
To me that sounds like “I hope she swallows.”
9/11 is like the Game.
I think I’ll start using that one.
Nope, not in a business setting for the same reason I don’t order company checks with cats or Bugs Bunny on them. You are a representative of the company, not yourself, and all interactions with customers, vendors, or employees should have a professional, neutral tone. I should have no idea about your religion, political leanings, preferences in sports, pets, sexual position, etc. based on professional dealings, internally or externally.
Of course, the usual exceptions apply - if you are a religious or political organization, a New Age gift shop or a sports team, than it is already on the label and you can sign you emails with Yours in Christ, Go Bengals, Blessed Be, or Why Not Try Santorum? if it is appropriate to your company.
I think I may start using, “May you crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women,” in response to “Have a blessed day.”
There’s someone in our office who always answers “How are you today?” with “I’m blessed”.
Barf.
I like it!