'Dear Sir or Madam' is an outdated salutation traditionally used to open formal business emails. It should be avoided for a few reasons: First, today's digitally connected world makes it easier than ever to find out who you're emailing. Second, this greeting may not be reflective of the recipient's gender.

Is Dear Sirs outdated?

Solicitors encouraged to adopt new formal greeting. The Law Society of Ireland has launched a new policy to discontinue the outdated “Dear Sirs” salutation. “Dear Sirs” was traditionally used on all formal letters and business emails where the recipient was unknown.

Why do people still write Dear Sirs?

The reason “Dear Sirs” exists is because, traditionally, you were writing to the firm rather than to the individual. And, of course, for a long time only men were partners in law firms – thus, Dear Sirs.