English Class

If an email starts with DEAR SIR/MADAM, I immediately delete it.

DEAR SIR/MADAM tells me that the email is not important (probably spam or a scam).

If an email is written for me and is from someone important, it will have my name in it.
(Not because I am important, but because the person writing it is professional)

DEAR SIR/MADAM is both VERY old fashioned and VERY lazy.

If you aren't sure what someone's name is, you should do some simple research and find their name, especially if you are applying for a job.

If you are unable to find their name or are sending an email to many people, you can use their position/relationship.

Dear Employees✅
Dear Loyal Customer✅
Dear Sales (sales team)✅
Dear Parents (parents of a student)✅

However, if you are really lazy or are sending one email to many people (and you don't know who they are), I recommend using TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.✅

I would still usually avoid using TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, but it is a better option than DEAR SIR/MADAM because it includes people who do not want to be called SIR or MADAM, and it doesn't sound like it was written 100 years ago.

*Also, when emailing a coworker, we usually just use HI + FIRST NAME.