I'm just going to be upfront: I hate it when people use the salutation "yours truly." Actually, hate isn't even a strong enough word. When I read the words "yours truly" I basically throw up a little bit in my mouth--kind of like when I hear a Miley Cirus song (oh come on Miley...writing a song for an older crowd? What does that even mean people who are 14, not 8? And what kind of "party in the USA" is she even talking about? One that takes place in someone's basement while their parents are upstairs watching tv? Yeah, that's what I thought. Why doesn't she wait until she can at least buy beer until she tries to sing about parties.). But seriously, the use of "yours truly" is worse than a Miley Cirus song, and yes, I will tell you why.
First, though, there is, perhaps, one acceptable use for the salutation "yours truly" in today's society: a love letter. Let me reiterate, unless you are writing a love letter, you should never EVER use this to sign off. Now if this were the 19th century, I wouldn't be writing this post (and not because the internet wasn't invented) because "yours truly" was a very acceptable salutation.
You might wonder where all of this ill sentiment for "yours truly" is coming from. In the past few months I have received a few business emails that have been signed "yours truly." When it happens I become irate and I want to email the person back and say "No, you are not 'mine truly.' What you are is a LIAR." In all seriousness, using that phrase automatically denotes you as a liar (unless you are writing a love letter). Why would anyone ever sign a professional email "yours truly." You aren't committing yourself to that person, you are participating in a business transaction. There will be no hugs, no making out, probably not even a high five. Just thinking about it makes me want to push my computer desk over and smash large quantities of glass in order to diffuse my anger. Using "yours truly" to sign a letter is the equivalent of wearing a neon fanny pack in Disney World. Yes, people do it, but it just seems gay (and no, I don't mean the good kind of gay--and by "good kind of gay" I mean the gays--who I love).
In the professional world you should aim to be sincere, honest, happy, and want good things to come out of working with others. For this reason salutations such as "sincerely," "best," "cheers," "best wishes," or "thank you" are clearly the best. Upon using the salutation "yours truly" you immediately loose all of your professional credibility--essentially you become PeeWee Herman-ed (I would just like to say that I am still a supporter of PeeWee). Using the salutation "yours truly" is the equivalent of whipping out your junk in public. It makes you a weirdo and a threat to the business world. Like your mom always told you, you should keep it in your pants in public. What she was really trying to say was never to use "yours truly."
In conclusion please never, ever use the salutation "yours truly" unless you
A.) are writing an actual love letter (even then I still think it's lame)
B.) are a girl under the age of 14
C.) have a time machine, travel back to 1877, and write a letter
D.) want to be a tool who sounds lame and like a huge loser.
Sincerely,
A.W.
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