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What is the etiquette for signing off an email for business and personal emails? I certainly don’t do Xs and Os, but Yours truly, and Sincerely, don’t work for me.

–A.D., Chicago, IL

Even in business, signing off an email is personal because it reflects who you are. Express your personality — even a little bit. When closing with Yours truly, Best wishes, Kind regards, or Sincerely, you leave the reader with a bland feeling, blah, blah, blah….

How you end a communication varies depending on the context and your relationship with the recipient.

Use Respectfully, or Respectfully yours, when recommending someone for a job or membership, because it means: I respect you and this other person enough to recommend or endorse you both.

A friendlier, yet still business-like closing, would be to write: Have a great weekend. To close an email dialogue for the rest of the day: Have a great night — meaning that’s it from me on this end (so don’t bother texting).

Or, when there is a special occasion or event: Have a wonderful vacation — holiday, honeymoon, afternoon delight, trip, sabbatical, birthday weekend, or Thanksgiving.

Personally, I adore singing off with Cheers, but to some people it sounds too British and thus pretentious.

When I’m emailing my really good friend we don’t sign off. We assume we’ll be back online where we left off eventually and leave the conversation open- ended. Then we pick back up without a Hi or Dear — the way you don’t sign off a text.

For a get well ending I’ll use: All best wishes for a speedy (swift) recovery, You’ll be back in circulation before you know it, I’ll see you on the dance floor in August,

Sympathy: You’re in my thoughts, or I’ll be thinking of you,

Condolence: You and John are in my thoughts and prayers, or Bill joins me in sending our best wishes,

I’m not a big fan of XXOO or Hugs. I never use them. They seems too middle-school. If I truly love someone, I’ll end: Love, Didi

With my children it is always unconditional: Lots of love always,

For friends: Hope to see you soon, Let’s get together soon, Talk to you soon, Until Thursday, See you for dinner Saturday,

Closing a message to a colleague: Wonderful to hear from you, Great job, Keep  up the good work, Work well done.

When I don’t know what to say because the message is philanthropic, I use: Kindest regards, and With much appreciation,

That’s all for now, cheers,

~Didi