Not Knowing These Things Bothers Me

Let’s say that you were addressing a formal-ish business letter to a woman and her mother. Or a woman and her daughter.

Two women who live in the same house, are of questionable marital attachment, have the same address, the same hair, the same arthritic knees, the same facial expression for I Disapprove, and the same last name.

How would you format the salutation line, remaining respectful and professional and proper?

Ms. Jane Doe
Ms. Jill Doe
1234 Sugar Plum Drive
Teeny Town, CA 91020

Dear Ms. Doe and Ms. Doe:

Redundant and ugly.

Ms. Jane Doe
Ms. Jill Doe
1234 Sugar Plum Drive
Teeny Town, CA 91020

Dear Ms. and Ms. Doe:

Again redundant, and implies that they are hitched.

Ms. Jane Doe
Ms. Jill Doe
1234 Sugar Plum Drive
Teeny Town, CA 91020

Dear Madams Doe:

I’m picturing two elderly sisters. With rocking chairs. And knitting in their laps. Being mean to everyone.

Ms. Jane Doe
Ms. Jill Doe
1234 Sugar Plum Drive
Teeny Town, CA 91020

Dear Madams:

Respectful, but too sterile.

Ms. Jane Doe
Ms. Jill Doe
1234 Sugar Plum Drive
Teeny Town, CA 91020

Hey Ladies!

Coworker Jeff’s suggestion. And I’m tempted to use it.

13 February 2008 · 15:37:56

6 love notes

If this is a poll, I like the first and last best :)

As for what’s proper - that’s certainly out of my area of expertise.

love, Bjørn at 13feb08, 16:48:14

Dump the dilemma all together and write two separate identical letters.

love, Lyne at 14feb08, 02:56:24

I think Lyne’s idea would be appropriate. Not that I would know the “correct” response.

love, mom at 14feb08, 10:08:55

Wow, you guys aren’t terribly helpful. How can the internet fail me so???

Going with two seperate letters is also awkward, because the letters would be identical.

I went with Dear Madams Doe.

love, Valette at 14feb08, 10:15:49

Lyne’s response is about the cleanest, but it sounds as if you’ve already plunged into decision before I woke, today.
Jeff’s call, however, is reminiscent of The Electric Company : “HEY YOU GUUUYYYS!”, and would give the two old spinsters a laugh.

love, john at 14feb08, 12:58:33

We’re always getting duplicate letters from the same company - one for Mr. and one for Mrs.

love, mom at 15feb08, 09:40:58

leave me a love note


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