The difference in the letters regarding the salutations reflect a culture difference because one is more casual while the other is more serious. The letter to the American customer is not as formal and gave the impression that the writer was more comfortable. The letter written to the Japanese customer is more formal and shows a sign of respect. In reading the book, Practical Strategies for Technical Communication, it discusses how there is a difference in how higher ranks and lower ranks tolerate each other and by addressing the Japanese customer with the word sir, it shows that there is more respect to that person, who may be in higher ranks than the one writing the letter.