If your email starts with “Kindly please find attached…” your British client knows you’re Polish in 5 seconds.
At Redline in Warsaw, we read hundreds of emails from C1-level executives. Grammar? 10/10. Tone? Translated directly from “Proszę o…”.
Here are 3 emails you probably write, and the British-friendly version that actually gets a YES.
EMAIL 1: REQUESTING A MEETING
BEFORE (Polish-direct):
Subject: Request for meeting
Dear John,
I want to meet with you to discuss cooperation. Please let me know when you are available.
Best regards,
Marek
Problem: “I want” sounds demanding. Too short = rude in English.
AFTER (British-friendly):
Subject: Quick catch-up next week?
Hi John,
I was wondering if you might have 20 minutes next week for a quick chat about how we could work together?
Would Tuesday or Wednesday work for you?
Thanks so much,
Marek
Why it works: “I was wondering if” = polite past tense. “Might” = not pushy. Giving two options = easier to say yes.
EMAIL 2: CHASING PAYMENT (The awkward one)
BEFORE:
Dear Anna,
You did not pay invoice 123. Please pay as soon as possible.
Regards
AFTER:
Subject: Gentle nudge – Invoice 123
Hi Anna,
Just following up on invoice 123 which was due last week. I wanted to check if you had a chance to look at it?
Let me know if you need anything from my side.
Best,
Marek
Why it works: “Just following up” is business magic. “Gentle nudge” in subject = British humour, not aggression. “If you had a chance” gives them an out.
EMAIL 3: SAYING NO WITHOUT BURNING BRIDGES
BEFORE:
No, we cannot do this. Price is too high.
AFTER:
Hi Kasia,
Thanks so much for sending this over. I’m afraid the pricing is a little higher than we had budgeted for this quarter.
Perhaps we could look at a smaller scope, or revisit in Q3?
Would love to stay in touch.
Marek
Why it works: “I’m afraid” = the British “no”. “A little higher” = softener. You offer a solution, not a wall.
YOUR CHEAT SHEET TO COPY-PASTE
Instead of: I want…
Write: I was wondering if I could…
Instead of: Please do…
Write: Would you mind…?
Instead of: Send me…
Write: Could you possibly send…?
Instead of: No…
Write: I’m afraid that might be difficult…
Pro tip for teens: Same rules work for teachers and internships. Don’t write “I want an extension”. Write “I was wondering if it might be possible to get a short extension?”
Stop writing “Please kindly” and waiting days for a reply. We rewrite your real work emails together until they get a ‘Yes’.
Book a set of classes: Contact Alex
