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Forums => English & Linguistics => Topic started by: saxon75 on December 04, 2009, 10:19:36 AM

Title: Greetings and Salutations!
Post by: saxon75 on December 04, 2009, 10:19:36 AM

Does anyone know the proper title to use in a letter's salutation when you are addressing a woman whose marital status you don't know and with whom you are not on a first-name basis?

Title: Greetings and Salutations!
Post by: Annie Subjunctive on December 04, 2009, 10:31:48 AM

Ms. ?

Title: Greetings and Salutations!
Post by: The Genuine on December 04, 2009, 10:44:15 AM

Agreed.

In fact, even if I knew the recipient was single, I'd use Ms. instead of Miss.

Title: Greetings and Salutations!
Post by: saxon75 on December 04, 2009, 10:44:40 AM

I thought it would be Ms. but I wasn't sure.

Title: Greetings and Salutations!
Post by: Neutros the Radioactive Dragon on December 05, 2009, 09:39:23 AM

Although I agree, I've run into women that do not like that particular title. Of course, I've run into men that don't like Mr. either.

Go fig'.

Title: Greetings and Salutations!
Post by: pooka on December 06, 2009, 02:34:08 PM

I don't like Ms. but I wouldn't be offended by it from a person who wasn't acquainted with me.  My mother deeply dislikes it, beyond the point of giving people allowance for whether they were trying to offend her.

Title: Greetings and Salutations!
Post by: The Genuine on December 07, 2009, 05:17:22 AM

What's her reason?  I mean, isn't the use of Ms. a deliberate attempt to avoid mischaracterizing someone?  Is it not a polite thing to do?

What would she prefer a stranger to do?

Title: Greetings and Salutations!
Post by: pooka on December 07, 2009, 09:12:56 AM

It's due to the association with Ms. as a feminist thing back in the 70's.  She would prefer to be called Mr. if we are doing away with tradition, I imagine.  Not that anyone would do that.