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Original poster

Changing from a Miss to Ms. How?

34 replies

crikeyitshot · 21/07/2013 08:48

I'm getting a bit confused. I want to change my title to Ms but I'm not entirely sure how to go about it. I had thought it would be quite a straight-forward process but I was reading on the f-word Ms: is it really so difficult?! and realised I may be about to walk into a world of annoyance. My passport is due for renewal, can I just change my title when I send off my new one then use it as 'proof' for banks etc?

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SconeRhymesWithGone · 23/07/2013 13:38

The American pronunciation is definitely Miz not Muz.

QueenStromba · 22/07/2013 22:08

I pronounce it muz valium but with a very short u sound. Ms and Miss are definitely pronounced differently - what would be the point of the difference otherwise?

valiumredhead · 22/07/2013 21:39

Apparently muz is the American pronunciation.

maja00 · 22/07/2013 21:32

I always say Mz, otherwise you'd have to say Miss, spelled Ms.

I have always been a Ms, since 16 or 17 - just always filled in forms that way. The only problem I've ever had is with CRB forms as they assume you have been divorced so are using a different surname.

valiumredhead · 22/07/2013 21:30

They aren't pronounced the sameConfused one is miss the other mz.

HenWithAttitude · 22/07/2013 21:29

Thoughts on pronouncing Ms

LRDYaDumayuIThink · 22/07/2013 21:29

Maybe it's correcting people that makes us say them differently? I know they are short for the same word, but then so is Mrs, and I think we all say that differntly from Miss or Ms?

I find if I say 'Mizz' people know what I mean and if I said it the same as Miss it'd be confusing.

HenWithAttitude · 22/07/2013 21:27

I pronounce them Mz and M-i-ss as does everyone I know

I never thought I'd be the sort of woman that corrects people who call me Miss but I am.

School still call me Mrs DC's surname ... (Which is not mine!)

LRDYaDumayuIThink · 22/07/2013 21:22

Ah, ok, fair enough.

Why, though?

Confused
overmydeadbody · 22/07/2013 21:19

No, they should both be pronounced the same. I was told on MN years ago...

eurozammo · 22/07/2013 21:17

I say them differently too.

BTW, I agree with many of the other responses - just start using it. I've been using Ms since my teens, both before and after marriage.

LRDYaDumayuIThink · 22/07/2013 21:13
Blush

I say them differently.

I thought Miss was 'M-i-sss' and Ms was 'Mizz'?

overmydeadbody · 22/07/2013 21:09

Ms is pronounced the same as Miss though isn't it.

I hate it when people mistakenly think it is pronounced differently.

QueenStromba · 22/07/2013 21:06

I feel that I must apologise to Nationwide. I looked at my card and it does say Ms. I think it might be the case that it used to say Miss but at some point they took note of me putting Ms on a change of address form. My nectar card has Miss on it though which means that either Ms wasn't an option 10 years ago or they just ignored it (I've recently started putting Mr if Ms isn't an option).

Woodhead · 22/07/2013 15:01

I've never really understood why bits of paperwork etc need a title at all. What's wrong with X.Y.Zurname on bits of plastic/bits of post?

Even if a bank wants to phone/address someone in person; would "hello, may I speak to X.Y.Zurname?" be impolite?

OP-get your title changed on your current account, and then use that if you encounter problems. Shouldn't be much of a problem, just inform organisations as and when when you want to change to Ms, and just use it on anything which is new.

QueenStromba · 22/07/2013 09:16

Thanks Bunnylion. I'll be an academic doctor so it should stick at university at least - I already get addressed as Dr by a lot of students.

Bunnylion · 21/07/2013 22:33

queenstromba congratulations on your soon to be Dr-hood but unfortunately I know a few female doctors who are regularly still called Miss or Mrs. One works in A&E and is more often than not called Nurse.

Didn't you know doctors are all boys?

rosy71 · 21/07/2013 20:18

I just tick or write Ms on forms. You don't have to do anything official. I've never changed any though; any with Miss on, still have Miss on.

AnnieLobeseder · 21/07/2013 16:51

Easy enough, just tell people That It Is So and use it on all forms. No formality necessary!

PearlyWhites - because some women don't like their marital status advertised on every database record, form, letter and item of mail they receive. It's as little business of anyone else's as a man's marital status is. Cos you know, they all get to be Mr.

mrsdinklage · 21/07/2013 16:46

This is making me think - no one actually ever calls me Miss, Ms or Mrs
(sh! I'm not really married to The DinklageGrin)

valiumredhead · 21/07/2013 16:40

Queen,ime next time you have them on the phone just ask them to update your records. I've never had any bother at all.

PearlyWhites · 21/07/2013 16:39

Can I ask why, if you are not married you are miss?

valiumredhead · 21/07/2013 16:37

Just use Ms on everything,I have since I was 17 and I'm 43 now!

QueenStromba · 21/07/2013 16:28

I've put Ms down on every form I've filled in since I was about 12. University, the NHS and Nationwide still have me on their systems as Miss though. It makes me really stabby but for some reason I don't feel like I can take it up with them. I'll take great pleasure from informing them all that my title is Dr in a few months time. It'll be so nice to have a title that gives away nothing other than the fact that I've spent a long time at university. Even Ms gives impressions - either that you're divorced or that you're a feminist. Why can't we just have a system like in France where you're automatically Madame once you reach a certain age?

Original poster
crikeyitshot · 21/07/2013 12:38

Right-o. Smiling pleasantly it is.

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