Here's how the thread read, for those interested. btw - it's not the namecalling that bothers me, it's the mindset.

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zzrg
By throwing them in the trash you are displaying a hostile prejudice towards people based on very thin evidence. It does not sound like the way you would like to be treated.

My belief is that starting a letter off with the word Dear Sirs: is actually more respectful than adding a separate but supposedly equal greeting. Anything that promotes separateness does nothing to create equality. I think the word sir carries a greater degree of respect. When I write a cover letter to a company I assumed that men and women are equally. Why should I not use the highest honorific title for both?

I think your behavior is cruel and unkind and doubtlessly has caused needless suffering to both women and men. (I assume that you are throwing out the cover letters of women that do not meet with your approval as well.)

It is kindness, tolerance, and love that will bind the human race together and give us equality between the races and the sexes. I do not thing that you behavior can be seen that way.

Honestly I do not see the difference between you trashing the cover letter on the basis of a greeting, than if you did it on the basis of someone's sex or skin color. You have just created a race of your own to act hatefully towards. (The race of people that start cover letters that start Dear Sir.)

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neitherday
My belief is that starting a letter off with the word Dear Sirs: is actually more respectful than adding a separate but supposedly equal greeting. Anything that promotes separateness does nothing to create equality. I think the word sir carries a greater degree of respect. When I write a cover letter to a company I assumed that men and women are equally. Why should I not use the highest honorific title for both?

"Sir" is a greeting for a male. I guess I should remember that a greeting used for men is more respectful. What woman wouldn't want to be called "sir", even in error. The honor of a male greeting should overwhelm any woman that receives it. In fact, it's surprising that business women don't call themselves men. What better way to achieve respect?

Honestly I do not see the difference between you trashing the cover letter on the basis of a greeting, than if you did it on the basis of someone's sex or skin color.

No, it is not remotely similar. I discarded some people's resumé's on the basis of their sexist attitudes displayed on the top of their cover letter. In the future, given the same circumstances, I will do the same thing.

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zzrg
You are dicriminating against both men and women based on how you percieve their political correctness. To me that is as shallow as your typical racist. It is not a reliable gauge. One could argue that anyone using the greeting Dear Sirs/Madames is someone that will certainly treat men and women differently because they certainly did so in their greeting. I don't' regard the word Sirs as being masculine or feminine in todays business enviroment.

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neitherday
So, you are telling me that if a woman comes into your office, or wherever you work, you say "How may I help you, sir?". Really? Honestly?

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zzrg
As a general rule, I think that one should address someone as specifically as possible. But if I am writing a letter to a company and do not know the sex of the individual then I use "Sirs" as a universal greeting of respect. To me starting a letter Dear Sirs/Madames: does not show more respect. It is a self-centered way to brag about my political correctness.

No doubt plenty of people that have committed crimes against women, but are politically correct, have met with your approval while many men who have gone out of their way during their careers to treat women respectfully have gone into your circular file.

Your actions are no different from the typical bigot that is carrying a chip on their shoulder and sabotaging lives by committing petty acts of cruelity. I find that most bigots justify their actions by claiming they are waging a moral crusade that justifies their actions.

I don't see how your actions are justified, unless I just missed the memo that went and made you God.

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neitherday
I understand. If you know you're dealing with a woman, you use what you have said is the less respectful greeting. But if you don't know, you might as well flatter them with "sir".