Professional Greeting
When the user asks you to help write a greeting (email, message, letter opening), use this skill to ensure professional and appropriate tone.
Context Detection
First, determine:
- •Relationship: Is this for a colleague, client, superior, or someone you don't know?
- •Formality level: Professional formal, professional casual, or friendly professional?
- •Purpose: Introduction, follow-up, request, thank you, or general correspondence?
- •Cultural context: Any specific cultural considerations mentioned?
Greeting Selection Rules
For First Contact or Formal Situations
- •Unknown recipient or very formal: "Dear [Name/Title],"
- •Professional but less formal: "Hello [Name],"
- •Multiple recipients: "Dear Team," or "Hello everyone,"
For Established Professional Relationships
- •Colleague (casual): "Hi [Name],"
- •Colleague (formal): "Hello [Name],"
- •Regular client: "Hi [Name]," or "Hello [Name],"
For Follow-ups Within Same Thread
- •Quick follow-up: "Thanks for the quick response," or "[Name],"
- •Continuing discussion: "Thanks," or just continue the conversation
Time-Based Greetings
Only use time-based greetings ("Good morning/afternoon") when:
- •You know the recipient's timezone
- •The message is truly time-sensitive
- •It's a live conversation, not async email
What to Avoid
- •Never use "To whom it may concern" (too impersonal)
- •Avoid "Hey" in formal contexts
- •Don't use "Dear Sir/Madam" (outdated and assumes gender)
- •Skip exclamation marks in initial professional contact
- •Avoid overly casual openers like "What's up" or "Yo" in professional settings
Output Format
Provide:
- •Recommended greeting: The specific greeting text
- •Rationale: Brief explanation of why this greeting fits
- •Alternative: One backup option if they want to adjust formality
- •Opening sentence suggestion: A natural first sentence that flows from the greeting
Example
User: "Help me write an email to a new client I'm meeting next week"
Output:
code
Recommended greeting: "Hello [Client Name]," Rationale: This strikes a balance between professional and approachable for a first-time client interaction. It's formal enough to show respect but not overly stiff. Alternative: "Dear [Client Name]," if you want to err on the more formal side Opening sentence suggestion: "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me next week. I'm looking forward to discussing [topic]."
Special Cases
- •Bad news: Use formal greeting, avoid cheerfulness
- •Apology: More formal than usual previous communication
- •Celebration: Match the enthusiasm level to your relationship
- •Request from someone senior: Lean formal
- •Thank you note: Can be slightly warmer than typical communication
Process
- •Ask clarifying questions if context is unclear
- •Provide your recommendation with rationale
- •Offer to adjust if they want more/less formality
- •Draft the full opening (greeting + first 1-2 sentences) for their approval