# "Have a blessed day" at the end of a work-related email. Unprofessional? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 7, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056 "2012-03-07T18:25:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/101 "2012-03-08T18:13:16Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Hey! _I’m_ a caucasian atheist liberal from the northern US! Does that make me, like, prom queen or class president something? Heck, you write books. About movies. You’re part of the Hollywood Ivory Tower media academic elite. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/102 "2012-03-08T18:22:13Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > \ > That all said, I don’t see why “have a blessed day” is inappropriate. It’s no different than saying “have a good day” except from someone who is likely Christian or otherwise religious. It’s not forcing their beliefs on anyone, it’s just that their beliefs will have some affect on how they say things. Even if you aren’t an atheist, how is it in anyway offense to learn that someone else isn’t? It’s from a Christian who wants people to _know_ they’re a Christian. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/103 "2012-03-08T19:15:08Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > It’s from a Christian who wants people to _know_ they’re a Christian. Why isn’t it from a Christian who just wants you to have a good day? I see what you’re getting at, but I don’t think “have a blessed day” crosses the line into holier-than-thou, “look how Christian I am” behavior. A bible verse in your email signature, yeah ok, that’s a bit pushy. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/104 "2012-03-08T21:01:13Z")
I just wanted to return to an earlier point. Blessed are the Cheesemakers is from Monty Python’s Life of Brian. Have a Republican day, Maggenpye ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/105 "2012-03-08T21:03:12Z")
Sorry for the doublepost. And it’s not ‘Blessed are the Greek’, it’s ‘blessed are the meek’, which is nice, because they have a hell of a time. Have a LOLcat day, maggenpye ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/106 "2012-03-08T21:36:33Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Why isn’t it from a Christian who just wants you to have a good day? I see what you’re getting at, but I don’t think “have a blessed day” crosses the line into holier-than-thou, “look how Christian I am” behavior. A bible verse in your email signature, yeah ok, that’s a bit pushy. Blessed does not mean good. They are not meaning have a good day. 1. consecrated; sacred; holy; sanctified: the Blessed Sacrament. 2. worthy of adoration, reverence, or worship: the Blessed Trinity. 3. divinely or supremely favored; fortunate: to be blessed with a strong, healthy body; blessed with an ability to find friends. 4. blissfully happy or contented. You can pretend that they mean #4. But if they did they would just say have a nice day and not use a loaded word. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/107 "2012-03-08T21:46:20Z")
Where I work it’s perfectly acceptable. Then again we have a Monday mandatory devotional. It’s a Christian charity, and I am guessing most everyone who works here is Christian. I am not, but it doesn’t bother me one bit when they tell each other they’re praying for each other or tell each other to have a blessed day. I can’t even understand why it would bother people. It’s just how they are. Sometimes it feels like people look for things to be offended by. One group doesn’t want to see tits, the other doesn’t want to see people praying. Me, I’m perfectly happy to see both tits and prayers. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/108 "2012-03-08T21:49:35Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > Where I work it’s perfectly acceptable. Then again we have a Monday mandatory devotional. It’s a Christian charity, and I am guessing most everyone who works here is Christian. I am not, but it doesn’t bother me one bit when they tell each other they’re praying for each other or tell each other to have a blessed day. I can’t even understand why it would bother people. It’s just how they are. > > Sometimes it feels like people look for things to be offended by. One group doesn’t want to see tits, the other doesn’t want to see people praying. Me, I’m perfectly happy to see both tits and prayers. Unprofessional does not equal offended. And just about everyone has said that there is nothing unprofessional about being outwardly religious while working at a religious institution. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/109 "2012-03-08T21:51:36Z")
I think “Have a blessed day” is a nice and professional way to end an email. It’s not like she wrote “Jesus and I love you” at the end. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/110 "2012-03-08T21:55:33Z")
I’m pretty sincere and open about my Christian faith, but I find wishes to “have a blessed day” from people who don’t know me to be off-putting. Professional correspondence should be closed with a “Regards,” or “Sincerely,” or possibly “Thank you.” If I’m feeling particularly playful I might throw in a “good day to you.” ETA: I SAID “GOOD DAY!” ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/111 "2012-03-08T22:16:52Z")
Sounds like something that someone whose second language is English might use. It is unprofessional. And weird. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/112 "2012-03-08T22:38:37Z")
Woo doesn’t belong at work. I don’t care if it’s pagan woo or Abrahamic woo or Dr. Oz woo, keep your woo at home. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/113 "2012-03-09T00:50:10Z")
I would agree that it is unprofessional. Most of my work emails were signed "V/r, " (shorthand for Very respectfully.) On Fridays, I would go wild and sign them “Have a good weekend!” ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/114 "2012-03-09T01:00:12Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Why isn’t it from a Christian who just wants you to have a good day? I see what you’re getting at, but I don’t think “have a blessed day” crosses the line into holier-than-thou, “look how Christian I am” behavior. \ I think it is from a Christian who wants you to have a blessed day, not just a good day. There’s a certain amount of religiosity inherent in the word “blessed” that you just can’t escape, and someone using a loaded religious word is probably doing that to make a point of how religious they are. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/115 "2012-03-09T01:26:03Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > Meh. Unprofessional but I appreciate the warning. This exactly. It means that any interaction with that person should be scrutinized a bit. Living in the south, I’ve become pretty much used to being wished a _blessed day_, having my heart blessed and seeing religious quotes at the bottom of e-mails. I usually ignore it. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/116 "2012-03-09T01:46:26Z")
> [@missred](#): > > This exactly. It means that any interaction with that person should be scrutinized a bit. Living in the south, I’ve become pretty much used to being wished a _blessed day_, \*\*having my heart blessed \*\*and seeing religious quotes at the bottom of e-mails. I usually ignore it. Well, IME, having a southerner say “Well, bless your heart!” is their way of saying “Well, to hell with you!” But I agree the best reaction is to ignore it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/117 "2012-03-09T01:55:44Z")
> [@Skara\_Brae](#): > > Well, IME, having a southerner say “Well, bless your heart!” is their way of saying “Well, to hell with you!” But I agree the best reaction is to ignore it. 🙂 It _can_ mean that, yes. It’s really a catch-all phrase used to express sorrow/sympathy/compassion for one’s trials and tribulations. (“Her husband left her, her mom died, and her dog got run over, all in the same week.” “Well, bless her heart.”) It’s just that in many cases said trials include the “ass” cluster of personality traits–being ate up with the dumbass, plain being a jackass, showing your ass, being an asshat, asshole, or assclown, that sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056/118 "2012-03-09T02:12:20Z")
> [@Skara\_Brae](#): > > Well, IME, having a southerner say “Well, bless your heart!” is their way of saying “Well, to hell with you!” But I agree the best reaction is to ignore it. 🙂 It’s all in the tone of voice, man, all in the tone. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-blessed-day-at-the-end-of-a-work-related-email-unprofessional/615056.md?page=5)