Category Archives: Discussion

Q. Do I can even older women Ms.?

Q. Do I can even older women Ms.? Answer: While some married women still prefer to be ad–dressed verbally or in written correspondence as “Mrs. Smith,” in general it is more practical to use “Ms. Smith,” especially in written communication. This avoids the necessity for learning whether a woman is married, currently unmarried, or recently […]

Q. What should I do if I don’t know the name?

Q. What should I do if I don’t know the name? Answer: If you are walking down the street and notice that a stranger has dropped a notebook or something, you want to call their attention to the fact, but of course you cannot call their name. You can call out, “Sir (Ma’am, Miss), you […]

Q. When do we start using first names?

Q. When do we start using first names? Answer: It is customary for younger people to address a significantly older person by his or her family name, unless the older person has indicated that first names should be used. The key is the meaning of “significantly.” If you are twenty years old, a person who […]