At what age would you address a single lady as Ms. instead of Miss?
461870
You may retain the title of Miss so long as you live, and are unmarried.  Lots of little old spinsters in the past have chosen this title into thier eighties and nineties.  Miss or Ms really have no age designation attached to them, although I personally would not call a young girl under the age of maybe 16 "Ms".  \n\nIn this way Miss and Ms are unlike the masculine similar terms of Master (for the boy under 12) and Mister (for the male over 12).\n\nYou may choose your own title.  The only exception the that is that if you are married, you may not properly choose to be called "Miss."
732816
Times, they are a changing....\n\nMiss was used commonly up to about 20-30 years ago.  It was used to indicate "never been married".  It is used still by older women (typically 70+), and girls under the age of, say 20.  \n\nMs was "invented" in the 60s to create a salutation such as the "Mr." where marital status was not indicated by how a person was addressed.  It is not about "hiding it" or avoiding it, it is about addressing the person, and not if or who they were married to.  For example, up until the 60s women were addressed (commonly) as Mrs. John Smith, rather than by their own name.  Wierd - I know.  \n\nMany women opt to use one or the other, which is really the best part about the women's movement.  We have a choice.  :o)
151543
I've to agree with golddigger, you DO command good English than most people.\n\nBoth sounds polite,but if you went with option (b), which sounds just slightly informal, you could probably get that mrs.so&so to talk and reveal more.\n\nGood luck!
1160269
Miss refers to a single woman, while Mrs. refers to a married woman.  For men, Mr. is used regardless of marital status.\n\nWhen the women's right movement was at its peak in the 1960's and 70's, Ms. was invented as a title for a woman regardless of marital status.  Was intended to replace both Miss and Mrs.\n\nToday it is acceptable to use either Miss/Mrs or Ms.  Ms. if most often used in formal and employment situation.  Ms. is also often used when the woman's marital status is not known.
763683
You know what, I don't know why some women get mad at that, I figure that when someone calls me ma'am, they were raised properly with respect for other people.  So don't let their insecurities get you down :) Next time just apologize and call her Miss :)
364638
you still can ask them but nicely, never say: how old are you madame? but say: how young are you miss? even if you know her age can be arround 50 plus....
102815
I don't like using the term single . . . because it has a desperate terminology against it . . . . \n\nI rather used the term available.\n\nAvailiable to go out . . . do anything . . . do anyone . . . you want at anytime.
246867
Mrs-married\nMiss-young, teen\nMs-for the unmarried and older than teen age
533014
In a group setting ladies is not offensive.  Being called "The Old Lady" is.  It is a matter of showing respect, something there is precious little of these days.
33712
Mrs. is the formal 'title' for a married woman (Madame or Mme. in French)\n\nMs. is the 'title' for a majority of divorced woman\n\nMiss is the formal 'title' for a female child until the age of 12 - or for a woman who has never married.  (Madamoiselle in French)
1120509
Both ways are correct, but the second one is better, because it lets the other person know that you want to call a woman --otherwise you would have to say "Hay que llamarle mañana a la señora"--.\n\nMy Spanish is from Mexico, where it is more common to say "Hay que hablarle mañana (a la señora)"
408113
this only works if your single and not ever been married.  "excuse me miss, you really remind me of my first wife."  when she responds howmany times you been married, you say "none".
44101
Young girls may call you sweety and honey just because they think it's cute, in my line of work I was trained to always ask someone how they would like to be addressed.  If I'm taking care of a elderly lady or gentleman they usually prefer that I call them by their first name as a friend would and I have found it difficult not to call them Mr. Or Mrs.\nTell them you would prefer if they would call you_____.
244915
Good luck, old man. Hate to say it, but "old man" usually makes women 20-30yrs old think "creepy old man".
1120738
Depends on the womans age
582859
Dear Mrs. is the proper formal way
1073903
Hilary Clinton is a lady, why are you refering to her as he and his?