Originally uploaded by broken thoughts.
Over at my friend’s place, we’ve been having a discussion of how to sign off letters, emails, etc. She has settled on “Best, Iris” but was asking others for input and info on their practices.
Being my typical goofy self, I suggested she just remove the comma.
I’ve had my eye on this little bud the last 2 days. This morning when I went out to the bus stop in the rain, she had done her magic and blossomed.
In honor of my friend Iris, I present “Best Iris.”
I’m telling you, kid, just remove the comma. 
8 responses so far ↓
1 Iris // Apr 26, 2007 at 6:55 am
LOL. I wonder if anyone would notice…
Best
Iris
2 Mark // Apr 26, 2007 at 7:05 am
I would.
But I try not to answer for others.
3 Mark // Apr 26, 2007 at 7:55 am
Of course, now we just have to get you to remove the line breaks.
4 jennimi // Apr 26, 2007 at 10:06 am
Remove the comma! Love it!
That Best Comma Person thing is so prevalent it doesn’t mean anything anymore. What does that mean, Best? It’s like saying “I am keeping a comfortable distance from you but I still wish you all the best!”
It’s to the point where what I notice is anything different! Cheers, Sincerely, Yours Truly, Happily, Yours, Peace, In Solidarity… I could go on. Do it! Drop the comma! I love it. And see if Mark will let you use his photo in a graphic signature!
5 Mark // Apr 26, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Hey jennimi,
I’m not sure exactly what it means either, but I use it on occasion amongst other things. I have some friends and others I respect who use it so I do, too.
As Iris and others noted on her post, we’re not exactly sure what Cheers, Yours, Yours Truly and so forth mean either. Your *what* exactly? And if we’re using Cheers (which I do sometimes), why not Skoal or Prosit or A votre sante or…. Sincerely, which I use when needed, is sort of formal and even stuffy to some.
So, Best, at least from the right person, I take to mean they are wishing me the best. Best of health, luck, providence, bowling score … really makes no matter.
And, unfortunately, since I have no one to call my own, just how am I supposed to take Yours or Yours truly? Wishful thinking can get a boy (or girl) into trouble?
My name is simply too common to use Best Mark, but I only know one other Iris. Despite the fact that she is a wonderful woman and I love her dearly, I think Iris could get away with Best Iris.
And she most certainly may use my photo if she desires. She let me use one of hers for a header image and, besides, all mine are CC by-nc-sa 2.0 anyway.
6 jennimi // Apr 27, 2007 at 6:35 pm
M, I also have lots of friends and respected colleagues who write “Best”. My comment is semi-tongue-in-cheek, and I totally agree about all the other salutations. When someone signs a letter to me “Best” I feel they would like to maintain a comfortable safe professional distance. If that is the intent, then it’s perfect.
I guess my comment is more about the prevalence of comfortable safe professional distance. I don’t even think I sign that way to potential employers. I want them to know how warm I am. But that’s me, and I am cool with whatever folks do to meander this complex world of ours.
Honestly, I was trying to say I liked the no comma idea.
7 Mark // Apr 27, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I knew it was semi-tongue-in-cheek. Sorry if I came across otherwise.
I get your point about the prevalence of a comfortable safe professional distance, and perhaps that is what it is, but that–despite some of our feelings about it–can have it’s place, too. There are lots of folks that I’d love to keep a safe distance from me, preferably professional, too.
Your Sincerely Best Cheers Mark
8 Iris // Apr 28, 2007 at 10:05 am
Awwww, you’re too kind, Mark.