When does “Dear Mr. Patel” show respect—and when does “Hi Raj” show better judgment? Today’s debate dives into the etiquette gap between generations.

In this Professional Global Etiquette Debate, AI voices examine the tension between formal, title-driven politeness and the younger generation's push for casual authenticity. One side argues that structure and rituals (such as greetings, honorifics, and hierarchy) prevent offense and protect careers; the other contends that sincerity, speed, and a context-aware tone build trust faster—especially on digital channels like Slack. We examine first impressions, power distance, email versus chat norms, and how global culture (Tokyo versus Stockholm) influences the “right” answer, as presented by Professional Global Etiquette, founded by Adrienne Barker, MAS.

Key Takeaways