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What are the rules about striking through your name on calling cards and stationery?

–Anoymous, New York, New York

Striking out the last name or the whole name and writing in by hand the first name the person uses in conversation with you is a friendly gesture. A common social nuisance in a greeting.

If I were asking someone to donate money to a charity in a form letter that said Dear Mr. and Mrs. Brown, I would put a line through Mr. and Mrs. Brown and with a pen write in above Mrs. and Mrs. Brown: Jane and John.

Traditionally, striking a slash through the last name means you are on a first name basis with the person to whom you are sending, say, a Christmas card. It is a gentle reminder as to which Olivia (assuming the person knows more than one Olivia) you are, you become further identified by your last name, which becomes slashed out. Meaning you are on a first name basis.

However, you wouldn’t put a slash through your last name on a calling card or on business or personal stationery.

It isn’t done, unless you have changed your name and writing your new name above the old one while you’re waiting for your new calling cards and stationery to be delivered. For instance, if you are a newly wed.

In our time of massive emails and curt texts, a handsome calling card and stationery stand out. They make an excellent impression.

Here are bespoke calling cards from The Printery in Oyster Bay, New York, that create a lasting memory.

Seriously, would you strike out your last name on any of these attractive calling cards?

~Didi