If you've ever stared at the end of an email wondering if "Warm regards" sounded too stiff or if "Best" was just too boring, you're not alone. But Gen Z might have the best solution yet—just make it weird.
A viral TikTok has captured the internet’s attention with a series of unexpected, chaotic, and downright funny email sign-offs from young professionals. Instead of the usual business formalities, these sign-offs include things like “Hehe bye,” “That’s all… mmm… yeah,” and the ever-iconic “Alright, alright, alright.”
"Hehe bye."
— @ninetyeightla
This generation just isn’t into pretending
The sign-offs, shared in a TikTok by a Gen Z-led agency, feel more like group chat energy than traditional office speak. But that’s the point. It’s part of a larger shift: Gen Z is over the idea that professionalism has to mean stiff, outdated rituals.
For many young workers, the performative nature of formal communication just doesn’t reflect who they are—or how they want to show up at work. Why write like a robot when you can sound like yourself?
"Alright, alright, alright."
— @ninetyeightla
The video struck a chord, pulling in over 6.8 million views and 1.4 million likes, with commenters chiming in to share their own unorthodox favorites. One person wrote, “I once got an email with ‘warmest vibes’ as a send-off and I’m stealing it for my own use.”
"Warmest vibes."
— TikTok user
Formality for the sake of formality is fading
Gen Z isn't just tweaking the tone of their emails—they’re questioning why these rituals even exist in the first place. Email, once the hallmark of modern professional communication, has become a symbol of outdated expectations to many younger workers. Between Slack, voice notes, and DMs, formality just doesn’t feel necessary anymore.
“As a millennial, I don't see why we have to be so formal. I love this Gen Z vibe,” one TikTok commenter shared. Another added, “As an elder millennial who spent the last 20 years working under boomers: yessss! Thank you!!!! Welcommeeeeeeeeee, we’ve been waiting for you.”
"I love this Gen Z vibe."
— TikTok user
Professional doesn’t have to mean impersonal
These offbeat sign-offs aren’t about slacking off—they’re about authenticity. They reflect a generation that values transparency, humor, and connection over tradition and pretense.
Sure, you may not want to send “Peace out, nerds” to your VP, but the underlying message is one worth noticing: professionalism should evolve with the people in the workplace. And right now, a lot of those people just want to sound human.
If nothing else, it’s a reminder that maybe—just maybe—we don’t need another email ending in “Sincerely.”
Representative Image: The work-from-home tools get the job done, even if you still can't find the mute button. 
Furry friends are importantRepresentative image via Canva
Couple has annoying conversation
The one phrase people most want to ban forever—and 20 more that drive us all nuts
If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “ If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.