Ettiquette....\n\nIn a formal setting... to a high ranking female - Should you address her "Madam XXX"? (XXX being her surname) Where is this used? and why? I'm in China and I am dealing with a high-ranking oil company official, and I am always a bit confused... Where I come from it's just "Ms XXX" and that's it - but they go in for more than that here, and I am confused...
138802
The issue of formal situations is highly confusing and i understand your confusion.\nIn some parts of the world(example Scandinevia) ladies and gentlemen prefer to be refered to on first name basis even in the most formal of enviroments ,whereas in other areas as U.k and its former colonies typically expect a title to prceed there names.\n\nHowever, always remember that it is better to err with the mistake of "overadressing " than vice versa and you can always end up being corrected if the person doesnt wish to be addressed so formally.\nI advise you use "Madam" when you verbally refer to her and "Mrs" if you do it in writing.
106754
I cannot help with the question in particular that you are asking, but I would like to make a few suggestions about your use of the English language, if I may. You actually are pretty good at it, but you could use a few improvements.\n\nWhen posting a question here at Yahoo Answers, it is not necessary to write "Dear Sir", unless you are actually writing a letter. Most folks around here don't bother with the "Hello" or any other salutations, so that's optional.\n\nThe question above could read something more like this:\n\nHello,\nI'd like to continue my education and increase my academic resume now that I am a civil engineer. Does anyone have any suggestions?\n\nHope this is helpful to you.
227454
You'd be better off saying it in plain English.\n\nCheck out hanzismatter.com and see for yourself what gets lost in translation.
63000
What an odd question. I mean the question iteslf is legitimate, but it's very oddly phrased.\n\nI don't understand how the term doctor is gender specific and why the example of manning a spaceship?\n\nBut as an answer, to the first question at any rate, no. Language is not sexist by definition, unless you're using a very strange definition of language. \n\nSo to the second question, which I have a bunch of other issues with. English doesn't favour men at all. Women are the ones who insist on new words when they become actors, waiters, aviators, etc. Don't even start me on the cretinism of the term bachelorette (which is just a moronym for spinster).
602046
So, just a perspective from the other side...My mother has always been very liberal, and insistent that she is an independent person from my father...To the point that my wedding invitations couldn't say "Mr. & Mrs. invite you", they had to say "Jim & Carrie invite you".  \n\nI remember, as a kid, my friends trying to call her "Mrs. Smith", and she almost yelled at them to call her by her first name.  I think she likes to be identified by her first name, because that's how she has idenitified herself for her whole life.\n\nI was raised to address all people by their first names.  When I didn't know what this was, I asked my friends what their moms wanted to be called...For the most part, these were first names, although there was the occasional Mrs. Someone.  I think that it may be somewhat regional...Are you from the South by any chance?  And perhaps moved away from there?  From what I read in Dear Abby (the obvious all-knowing resource) and such, addressing adults using their last names (or with a title in front of their first name) is a tradition that has been very popular in the South (although I certainly apologize if this generalization doesn't fit your reality).\n\nHonesly, I don't care what people call me, as long as there are no swear words involved.  I have a first name, and it's how I identify myself to everyone.  I also have a last name, but as a woman, it's not the same one I grew up with, so I'm not quite as connected to it as my first.\n\nI think that the only way you can stop it is in your own home, and within your own family.  When your houseguests instructed their children to address you by your first name, it would have been entirely appropriate to say, "Actually, in this house, children address adults more properly.  Please call me Miss Elizabeth" (or Mrs. Jones, depending on what's most appropriate for the manners you were taught).  Also, raise your kids with this expectation, and encourage them to do so with their kids.\n\nGood luck - and thanks for having manners...It's a rare thing these days!
506098
I wouldn't be insulted, after all, there's worse names out there he could've call me. Maybe he just forgot my name and didn't mean anything by it. It's not much different than some one calling me, Hun, which a lot of people do both in here and out in the world.\nBut if you feel uncomfortable with it, then correct him politely by reminding him of you name. If he continues and you don't like it then tell him to use your name or not to talk to you. If he still continues, then turn it over to your HR dept and let them handle it.
362808
I have no idea.  A word is a word.  We don't get in trouble if we call a woman c*nt, do we?
79507
just address her by her first and last name to avoid any disrespect.
225640
It happens to me many times, usual for men dominated area. I don't think it will be harmful to take their invitation, as long as you really know them and lunch in public places (restaurants). The most important is don't let them focus on sexist jokes and never use obvious physical contacts. Based on my experience, they do respect female colleagues, and I find it more advantage of being female among males, they put us in priority :))
387002
People with surname like that are usually aware that people may not know how to pronounce it properly. It will not be a big issue (and I am sure it won't offend her at all) if you were to ask how to pronounce it. Just make sure you listen carefully THEN repeat it so you will likely remember it.
129417
In public and on all formal occasions, she is called Your/Her Majesty.  Naturally, in private, they call her grandma, or nanna, or whatever...
177519
that would really depend. if you were a friend of hers, you could probably call her by her first name, which is most likely, but she might have it ZiYi. if you had just met her, you might want to have a little respect and call her by Ms. Zhang.\nIm chinese, so i guess i should know.\n\nYou pronounce her name like jhang, rhyming with hong kong, and zi yi like zii yee, yi rhyming with me.
545766
I would try something like this:  Delicious Snack Treats, Inc. (formerly Allied Biscuit, Inc.)\n\nI would avoid "née", because it literally means "born" and has female gender.  This makes sense when used to refer to a woman's maiden name, or to a person who is more commonly known by a pseudonym, but might seem awkward when applied to the name of a company.\n\n"Formerly" is a succinct and safe bet.
573892
this happens to me on many official letters i clearly state Mrs  and i get Ms it is so annoying it shows total lack of respect that they dont care how you want to be addressed.\n\nit is a  case of political correctness\n\nyou cant tell if a man is married or not by his title\na man is Mr whetheror not he is married\nyou can tell if a woman is married or not by the title Miss or Mrs\nsome women object to this so came up with Ms\nunfortunatly the rest of are stuck with it.
589734
Dear Princess Lizro of Montico,\n I acknowledge your stature as sole Princess of Montico. Tis a great privilege to be in your  highness' company!\n We have long awaited your arrival! We shall set forth a Carnival to celebrate this monumental occasion! I shall see to it myself that all of her royal highness subjects are at hand. \n  Please your majesty, title me at your will!\n\n Respectfully yours,\n Pixie.\n\nLong live Princess Lizro of Montico!!
207339
Personally I wouldn't recommend it,as it's not proper spelling or grammar. Mrs.or Mr.for married women and men OR Mister.  Miss $ Master for young people. Ms. if you're not sure. Sir or Madam,to be formal. Hope this helps.
73960
from a woman of color.\n\ndont think of us and yourself and others as a color when talking to someone. simply say hello.\n\ni find it easier for me to start off by saying a wisecracking joke that is not offensive to anyone around me. but for others a simple hello is fine.