Calling someone he/she is rude?

[AyDeeAitchDee]

I've always thought it is.

Watching Boris now.

Everyone is he/she.

I'm guessing there are different rules in the House of Commons?

Or am I weird in finding it rude?

I've never heard that

In formal situations I'd usually expect the proper honorific to be used in the first instance, and then he/she afterwards.

I.e. "I totally agree with the right honourable lady / Mrs whatshername. She has put forward..."

Using the full honorific each time would be such a faff and a mouthful.

I think this is the origin of "who's she, the cat's mother?".

I think it's one of those, possibly outdated, etiquette things.

It depends on the context. I agree with previous poster that the first time you refer to somebody else you use their name, but after that he or she is fine.

But he did use he/she correctly. He spoke with all required etiquette - rude

But Mr Johnson did use he/she correctly. He spoke with all required etiquette - correct usage

It's as simple as others have said. Just like academic writing, full reference in the first instance, shortened thereafter!

Isn't it assuming someone's gender to use he/she????

In the commons it's forbidden for MPs to speak to each other directly. Everyone must be addressed in third person, so with their name or title first, then s/he thereafter.

Exception is the Speaker, who may both speak to and be spoken to directly.

@ImaSababa

Isn't it assuming someone's gender to use he/she????

I hope this is a joke reply.

*I think this is the origin of "who's she, the cat's mother?".

I think it's one of those, possibly outdated, etiquette things.*

Ah yes I remember being told off for this when I was small. Along the lines of my Dad asking who did or had something and me responding with "She did", meaning my Mum. I was supposed to refer to her as "Mum" not as "she", the latter was considered rude.

How is it rude? It's a singular pronoun. He, she, it. NOT 'they'.

How is it rude? It's a singular pronoun. He, she, it. NOT they

Pretty sure most people consider calling a person IT rude.

Why do the words "he" and "she" exist, if it's rude to use them?

@CoalCraft

In the commons it's forbidden for MPs to speak to each other directly. Everyone must be addressed in third person, so with their name or title first, then s/he thereafter.

Exception is the Speaker, who may both speak to and be spoken to directly.

Yes. This is the correct answer even though, being Mumsnet, there will now be fifty posts trying to explain something different.

The questions and answers in the House of Commons are addressed through the Speaker (who is a person, not a speaker.) You will hear questions that ask “Mr Speaker, does the Prime Minister believe...” and answers that respond “Mr Speaker, the Honourable Lady is correct...”

Members don’t refer to each to her by name, or directly.

@CoalCraft

In the commons it's forbidden for MPs to speak to each other directly. Everyone must be addressed in third person, so with their name or title first, then s/he thereafter.

Exception is the Speaker, who may both speak to and be spoken to directly.

Ah amazing. Thank you! I have pretty much zero political knowledge so that answers it!

I'd googled a couple of different ways and didn't get an answer.

"My honourable friend" got a lot of use too. But Boris never used a name, just that or he/she.