[speaker001:] Melanie, can you help me with something? We need to finalize the account with the Mexican Embassy and, I need some advice on phrasing this letter correctly in English.
[speaker002:] Sure Tracy, let me just get my laptop.
[speaker001:] Okay, so... To Whom It May Concern, I am writing.
[speaker002:] Um, Tracy? I think that 's a little too formal. I know you want to be polite but you've already made contact with them, so in English you can be more relaxed in the opening...
[speaker001:] Okay, more relaxed. Got it. Hey, Sally, what 's up? It's Tracy here, just.
[speaker002:] Okay Tracy, now it's too relaxed! You've still got to show some respect. How about starting with " Dear Ms. Cooper, I'm writing to confirm...?
[speaker001:] Great, okay. " Dear Miss Cooper, I'm writing to confirm the final quotation for the full page back cover color advertisement you requested for the spring issue of Voila magazine ".
[speaker002:] That's great...
[speaker001:] " The final costing, including advert design and production, comes to forty-five thousand six hundred RIB. We want payment ten working days before publication or we will cancel the ad. Thanks for... "
[speaker002:] Woo, okay, back up a second, Tracy. That's too direct. Can I suggest you say, please note that final payment is due two working weeks before publication? You don't want to offend her.
[speaker001:] Oops, okay. You are right. Then I can just end with " All the best, Tracy ".
[speaker002:] Mmmm, maybe, but I'd play it safe and just finish with " Yours Sincerely ". That's more professional.
[speaker001:] Oh, Melanie, you are a life saver, thank you!