Author Topic: Greetings and Salutations! (Read 2061 times)

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?

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2009, 10:31:48 AM »

Ms. ?

The Genuine · « **Reply #2 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.

saxon75 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2009, 10:44:40 AM »

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

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #4 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'.

pooka · « **Reply #5 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.

The Genuine · « **Reply #6 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?

pooka · « **Reply #7 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.