xoxo offender

[Benjamin Zimmer]

>From a NY Times article on the trickiness of e-mail sign-offs...

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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/26/fashion/26email.html
'Yours Truly,' the E-Variations
By LOLA OGUNNAIKE
Published: November 26, 2006
[...]
Surprisingly, the sign-off "xoxo," offering hugs and kisses, has
become common even for those in decidedly nonamorous relationships.
Ms. Bondy, who received from 300 to 500 e-mail messages a day while at
CNN, was no fan of the "xoxo" farewell, especially when it came from a
stranger pitching a story idea. "They're trying to be warm and
familiar when they shouldn't be," she said. "It's inappropriate, and
that's probably the e-mail I'm not going to return."
Robert Verdi, a fashion stylist and a host of "Surprise by Design," a
makeover reality show on the Discovery Channel, is a self-described
"xoxo offender." "Never in the first or second communication," he
clarified. But after a few friendly phone conversations or e-mail
exchanges, he feels comfortable with the affectionate and casual
sign-off, though he generally waits for the other party to make the
first move. "The other person gives you the cues," he said. "They send
a 'You're the best! Love, Alison,' and you send a 'Hugs and kisses'
and all of a sudden you're over that awkward hump and you're best
friends."
[...]
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--Ben Zimmer

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