Why is "Dear X" considered more formal than "To X" in e-mail/writing?
You wouldn't start off an e-mail with "My Dear X", or "Dearest X", since that would be too personal for a professional email, so "To X" being more impersonal seems like it would make the letter more professional-sounding, compared to "Dear X".
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So it's not cool to start with: "Sup, fuckface?"
It's fine for writing the President or your grandmother, but I'd avoid it for anything business-related.
Or at least, for introductions.
Probably fine once dialogue is established.