RoR: Forum

Duncan,

Wonderfully concise and precise content -- but why the use of "faithfully" at the end?

Luke Setzer

Post 1

Sunday, November 7, 2004 - 12:48pm

Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 11:24am

Dear Mr. Bayne

Your succinct definition of Objectivism and your "faithfully" in the same spirit sent me to the OBE and it just occurred to me that perhaps Jesus too, was an Objectivist. Has that argument been thrashed to death already?
(Edited by Sharon Romagnoli Macdonald on 6/09, 3:28pm)

(Edited by Sharon Romagnoli Macdonald on 6/09, 3:31pm)

Post 3

Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 1:11pm

I was taught at school that the first time you address someone in a letter you end it with "Yours faithfully". Any further correspondence with the same person after that should be ended with "Yours sincerely".

I guess that is similar to Duncan's rule.

Post 4

Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 2:05pm

All true but odd. I am happy to be "sincere" to anyone but "faithful" seems to me to imply a disturbing willingness for self-abnegation. This might be heretical, but if you don't know who you are writing to "I am..." would carry an appropriate declaritive quality.

Post 5

Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 3:41pm

To all,

Let us invent our own closings. We have imagination and autonomy plenty. Frigid convention be damned.

Rationally yours in a non-altruistic fashion,
num++

Post 6

Friday, April 6, 2007 - 3:27pm

I was taught that 'Yours faithfully' is the appropriate way to end a letter beginning with 'Dear Sir' or 'To whom it may concern', whereas 'Yours sincerely' is the appropriate way to end a letter to a person addressed by name, e.g. 'Dear Mr. Setzer'.

Is this incorrect?

That's what I learned too. I suppose it doesn't really matter anymore, though. Most people pay little attention to such things.

Post 7

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 - 10:29pm

I've always kind of like "I remain". Has a nice life affirming ring to it.

Post 8

Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 8:35pm

My brother-in-law, Durham, uses "Cheers," for email, letters, and cards. I like it a lot, but I can't use it without feeling I'm copying.

Post 9

Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 9:31pm

Offer him an object of value with the stipulation that it is in return for your using his "cheers" salutation. If he accepts the gift, you are off the hook.

Post 10

Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 10:09am

Ha ha, Ted. He's a good guy, he'd say, "No problem, we can both/all use it." However, it wouldn't work, because I would still feel I was copying... However, others do not have that problem...

Post 11

Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 4:23pm