Physics GRE Discussion Forums

A short question regarding U.S. social norms.

I use a salutation of "Dear Professor X" in my suck mails. Usually they do reply with a "Dear George" salutation. Is it okay/expected for me to use the first name salutation also after that?

To be completely safe I wouldn't.

I would always go by Dr. Last Name unless they specifically said not to. (As for when I'm a professor, I will insist on my first name only)

-Riley

WhoaNonstop wrote:To be completely safe I wouldn't.

I would always go by Dr. Last Name unless they specifically said not to. (As for when I'm a professor, I will insist on my first name only)

-Riley

Ok, thanks. I will insist on George only.

schwiss wrote:A short question regarding U.S. social norms.

I use a salutation of "Dear Professor X" in my suck mails. Usually they do reply with a "Dear George" salutation. Is it okay/expected for me to use the first name salutation also after that?

I know less of the U.S social norms, but IMO, addressing the professor as Dr. Last Name/ Prof. Last name looks decent.

WhoaNonstop wrote:To be completely safe I wouldn't.

I would always go by Dr. Last Name unless they specifically said not to. (As for when I'm a professor, I will insist on my first name only)

-Riley

This is correct. I get plenty of suck e-mails, and either Dr. or Prof. is best. Sometimes Mr./Ms. is ok, and that isn't unusual for foreign students. First name seems awkward, even though I tell all of our current graduate students to call me by my first name (but I don't insist---most Asian cultures tend to resist first names for professors).

But then why do professors often respond with the first name? Well, suppose I were to get an e-mail from someone named Riley? I can't use Dr. or Prof., so the only option is Mr./Ms. But which is Riley? If I guess wrong, it is very embarrassing. So I will often respond with the first name, which is safer.

admissionprof wrote:This is correct. I get plenty of suck e-mails, and either Dr. or Prof. is best. Sometimes Mr./Ms. is ok, and that isn't unusual for foreign students. First name seems awkward, even though I tell all of our current graduate students to call me by my first name (but I don't insist---most Asian cultures tend to resist first names for professors).

But then why do professors often respond with the first name? Well, suppose I were to get an e-mail from someone named Riley? I can't use Dr. or Prof., so the only option is Mr./Ms. But which is Riley? If I guess wrong, it is very embarrassing. So I will often respond with the first name, which is safer.

Dear Prof. admissionprof,

This makes perfect sense.

Best regards,
George

The usual rule of thumb is to address professors by their first name only if that is how they sign their own name. So I address my first message as "Dear Professor."

Is it out of line to email a professor just to inquire about their music preferences?

-Riley

I use a salutation of "Dear Professor X"

Dear Professor X,

Please tell Wolverine I said, "hi." Also, Jean Grey is hott!!!11 lol

thx,

twistor