“You have to use his last name.” That’s what I told my colleague.
She asked, “Should I write ‘Dear Mr. Müller’ or ‘Hi Carl’?”
“Did he invite you to use his first name?” I asked.
“No.”
“Then it’s ‘Mr. Müller’.”
In the US—and even in the UK—first names are used much earlier.
This is not the case in Germany.
In a formal context, it’s better to stay formal.
Don’t be overly friendly, and don’t use humor right away.
📌 Pro tip: Mirror the tone of your recipient.
If they are formal, be formal. If they are friendly, match their style.
💬 What’s one cultural email tip you’ve learned from working internationally? Share it in the comments, I’d love to hear it! 👇
