When writing emails in English in the United States, there is an interesting commonality that emerges.

It is that "there is no right answer." Working in real estate, I exchange emails with numerous American companies, including many clients, mortgage companies, escrow companies, and construction companies, and there are no rules about how many characters a sentence should be or how the first sentence should start.

Yet, American newcomers begin to write emails in a similar format, and as the company grows, that pattern becomes more pronounced. The reason is simple. It is because there is a kind of 'unwritten rule' that is naturally passed down from seniors after joining the company, rather than being taught in school. Newcomers are initially nervous about writing even a single email, but by continuously observing the emails sent by team seniors or managers, they come to understand, "Ah, this is how I should write."

Thus, in large American corporations, mid-sized companies, and professional firms, the email style of newcomers is surprisingly similar. Typically, it follows this flow: the first sentence always clearly states the purpose, followed by a few sentences of background explanation, and finally a request for action or a question. The basic structure of American business emails is simply "purpose-explanation-request." The reason for following this format is to save the reader's time.

However, what is interesting is that the people who most disregard this format are precisely the "powerful individuals." Whether they are clients, CEOs, founders, or anyone in a position of power, the more power they have, the less they adhere to email formats. This is a common phenomenon even in the United States. When looking at emails from a boss in a superior position or an important client, they often lack punctuation, do not use capital letters, and sentences may not even connect.

For example, if I send an email to a CEO, the reply might just be "ok proceed" in just two words. It is even common for emails from CEOs, founders, or partner-level executives in large American companies to be at the level of text messages. They prioritize "quick communication" over email etiquette or format because they spend their time as money. These individuals already hold absolute authority within the company, and no one questions their writing style. Thus, the more unconventional the format, the more it conveys the impression of being a "busy and important person."

In contrast, if newcomers or mid-level employees write in the same style, it becomes a problem. This is because they need to earn trust from the other party. Evaluations like 'I don't know what the purpose of that person's email is' or 'the sentences are not organized' directly translate to their work capabilities. Therefore, newcomers follow the basic format, team leaders gradually incorporate their own style, and senior executives completely shift to "text message-style emails," creating an interesting hierarchical structure.

There is a joke among those who have worked in American companies for a long time: "The shorter the email, the higher the person's rank." This saying is half a joke, but for practitioners, it is almost a fact.

In conclusion, while there is no right answer in emails, there exist implicit rules that have naturally established themselves in American workplace culture. The reason why no one teaches it, yet everyone learns in the same way, lies here, and conversely, it is also common to see powerful individuals breaking those rules.

Ultimately, the format of emails can be seen not as a tool to prove skill or etiquette, but rather as a cultural signal reflecting one's role and position within the organization.