To be frustrated by the misunderstanding of the honorific 'Ms' ?

[ChinkChink]

Inspired by another thread.

I've come across many people who believe that 'Ms' is the honorific for a divorced woman, rather than the female equivalent of 'Mr'. People including several employers, managers, supervisors etc, plus friends and family who I'd normally regard as clued up. And many of them women.

I do welcome the introduction of the term 'Mx' as a title to be used when gender is irrelevant [almost always!] but I fear that Mx will go the same way - people will interpret it as a title for someone who is [for example] transgender.

What say you, MN massive?

I've recently booked a flight with Eurowings. The only options were Mrs or Miss which was a touch 19th century.

As an aside, I occasionally get arsey with websites and choose a title I fancy. The amount of mail that still arrives for Rear Admiral Rat is quite an insight into how much our data gets sold along.

"What possible need could it serve to announce to the world that you are divorced?"

I suppose it's better than a big red A on your forehead. Or it might be useful for men to know that you're available but not a virgin.......

I've recently booked a flight with Eurowings. The only options were Mrs or Miss which was a touch 19th century.

In German language page (it's a German company) they only have Herr or Frau. No Fräuleins. I guess the one who set up the English version had also not heard of Ms like some people on this thread.

I suppose it's better than a big red A on your forehead. Or it might be useful for men to know that you're available but not a virgin.......

But you need one for widows too. I suppose widows not interested in remarrying can still be "Mrs" but if you are back in the marriage market you need to show that surely ?

Mrs but also a black veil?

I can't help thinking this thread has descended into farce

What more of a farce than Mrs/Miss/Ms/Mx vs Mr

i

I am sick to the back teeth of pronoun talk. Why do we even need pronouns? I think it's bizarre to advocate for Mx - why not just address people by their names?

Really I only think it necessary to use titles in formal letters. If I was going for, say, an interview I'd say, 'I have an appointment with Jane/John Smith' rather than using titles.

If only someone could invent a new way of respectfully starting a formal letter rather than 'Dear Stupidtitle Surname' or 'Dear Firstname Surname' [which is exceedingly clunky] then we could do away with all this nonsense.

Could mumsnet come up with a reasonable alternative? What about starting the letter, 'For the attention of Firstname Surname'? How would that sound?

Oof nanas

Name and shame. A MN boycott is appropriate here.

You could select Mr, Bananas, although you may get a phone call from someone who thinks your a 'silly woman'......

OMG that's appalling bananas. It's not as if there's no female equivalent to "Sir".

I'd choose Mr, as I said downthread - or actually, Sir in this case! - and I'd also phone them and ask them to sort it out.

What's wrong with madam for formal letters? Have I missed something?

What's wrong with madam for formal letters? Have I missed something?

Nothing, if you don't know the name. But traditionally, if you know the name, you use title and name with formal letters, like I've just had a letter from the hospital starting, "Dear Miss Bearhug." (I am wondering which of

(I am wondering which of the many NHS databases I currently exist in needs updating to Ms. I am guessing one I've been on for a long time.)

I can hear it now - "Well, Tom wanted to choose me, but what with all my other responsibilities - I mean, I'm so busy with the shop and everything, so I just didn't have the time to test anything properly. Like my Emma, she's got three jobs, you know, and George and Kiera to look after, but we don't like to complain, and someone's got to do it..."

Totally wrong thread, sorry!

Sorry I haven't RTWT, it's too long. But I noticed several people said about the French idea of Mademoiselle and Madame for status being better.gone now. Officially all French women are now Madame, regardless of their age or marital status.

I'm a Ms, have been since I was about 18 when I needed to use something but I prefer just my name. My brother's wife told me she thought it means a bitter divorcee (I'm neither) and my fella (of 22 years)'s mother thinks it means you're a lesbian . I tell anyone who asks - it means MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

Actually MYOB could replace Ms. It would shut up those who 'can't pronounce it without a vowel' for a start.

Actually MYOB could replace Ms. It would shut up those who 'can't pronounce it without a vowel' for a start. - LOL
my own mother seems incapable of writing it, she insists on addressing me as M/S

Heh.

I declare hippyhippyshake the thread winner.

Instead of ticking 'other' and entering 'Brigadier' as my title I'm going to tick it and enter MYOB.

Another advocate here for doing away with titles all together. Personally, I find titles etc exceedingly old fashioned. I go by my first name or first name/surname if strictly necessary.

It annoys me no end that most online forms don't give an option for no title.
Though the online driving license form is one that does.

My sister is a doctor, but selected the wrong option from the drop down box and now gets catalogues addressed to Rev Balloons Sister, which always makes me laugh.