When it comes to emails, some people prefer formal titles. Others are perfectly fine with being called by their first name.
But one Malaysian HR staff’s complaint about an internship applicant addressing her as “Dear Atikah” instead of “Dear Ms Atikah” has sparked a huge debate online, with many netizens saying she may have overreacted.
HR staff called out applicant’s email etiquette
In a Threads post that has since gained over 1.1 million views, the HR shared a screenshot of an email exchange between herself and an internship applicant.
According to her post, the applicant had initially emailed the company with a formal opening addressed to the “Hiring Team”.
However, after the HR staff replied to the applicant using “Dear Ms. Siti…”, the applicant later responded by addressing her as “Dear Atikah”.
This did not sit well with the HR staff, who wrote:
Please watch your language even in emails. Dear Atikah? I also called you Dear Ms Siti, but you replied to me by calling me Atikah only. Do you think I’m your friend?”
She also advised internship applicants to be more careful with their language when emailing offices, adding that they should not rely too much on ChatGPT.
Netizens felt it was not a big issue
The post quickly drew mixed reactions, but many netizens felt that the applicant’s email was still polite and professional enough.
One netizen pointed out that in many corporate environments, addressing someone by their first name is common and not considered rude.
“Dear Atikah, in the corporate world, it is normal to address people by their first name instead of using formal salutations all the time.”
The user added that what mattered more was whether the email was clear, respectful, and properly delivered.
Another netizen said that in multinational companies, this would likely not be an issue at all.
“If you work in an MNC environment, this would never be an issue.”
Some also felt that if the HR staff preferred to be addressed with a title, she could have simply informed the applicant politely after they joined.
“If you wanted to be called Miss, Mrs or Kak, do it after the person has joined. Just politely say you prefer to be called this and that.”
Others questioned the HR staff’s professionalism
Several netizens also criticised the HR staff for publicly posting part of an email conversation with a candidate.
One commenter said the situation made the HR staff look unprofessional, especially as she was sharing a candidate’s email exchange online.
“What a red flag. HR posting an email conversation with a candidate.”
Another added that while professionalism matters, posting the issue on Threads may reflect poorly on the company culture too.
“HR pun toxic, don’t know what the whole company culture is like.”
The HR staff later replied to one of the comments, saying it was not about being toxic but about knowing when respect should be shown in emails.
Some said both sides had a point
While many defended the applicant, some netizens felt that young applicants should still learn the difference between formal and casual communication, especially when applying for internships or jobs.
However, others argued that the applicant’s email already had a proper greeting, apology, clear explanation, and sign off, making the use of “Dear Atikah” a minor issue.
One netizen summed it up by saying:
“This is such a non issue. She already used a proper greeting and closing, that’s enough.”
View on Threads
