http://forums.digitalpoint.com/search.php?searchid=12686014 or search "dear friend" in DP You are not writing a letter! and i don't even know you so stop addressing me as dear friend
To my dear friend Ahkip, why do you get so upset over these types of things? You should learn to let it go. It will lead to a happier life. Looking forward to your reply. Your dear friend, Cylon
I prefer more casual communique, even in business. I only use dear for official sounding template emails, like "dear client" Rest of the time I address the person by their first name. Either: RedXer, or Hi RedXer,
I've noticed the word 'dear' gets used a lot. It seems a little weird to me because it's something that is rarely used in the UK and when it is it is usually a male addressing a female. Still, it doesn't really matter all that much... at least not to me.