You may often feel confused about how to address people properly.Many feel embarrassed to ask the question,“What should I call you?” For instance,many women don’t know how to address their boy-friend’s mother.On the other side,some parents don’t know what to call their children’s teacher.
Why is “What should I call you?” such a difficult question to ask? Perhaps it’s because you are asking the other person to provide their status or position in relationship to yours.This position may include age,job,education,religion and even marital status.
In our casual society,it is natural to use first names immediately upon meeting strangers (“Hi John,nice to meet you.I’m Clara.”).But it is not proper etiquette.When one is first introduced to someone,only relatives or children can be addressed with first names.Otherwise,one should address another as “Mr./Ms.(last name)”.It is regarded appropriate to be addressed by one’s first name once a friendship is established (“Please call me Shirley now that we are friends.”) In formal situations,use formal titles unless the people you meet tell you otherwise.To draw someone’s attention you can say: “Excuse me,Sir” or “Pardon me,Madam/Ma’am.” To greet someone you can say: “Hello Sir” or “Good morning,Madam/Ma’am.”
A title is a prefix or suffix added to a person’s name to emphasize either veneration,an official position or a professional or academic qualification.Titles may even be inserted between a first and last name in some languages.Here are the formal titles for English speakers:
◇Sir (adult male of any age);
◇Ma’am (adult female for North American);
◇Madam (adult female);
◇Mr.+ last name (any man);
◇Mrs.+ last name (married woman who uses her husband’s last name);
◇Ms.+ last name (married or unmarried woman; common in business);
◇Miss + last name (unmarried woman);
◇Dr.+ last name (some doctors go by Dr.+ first name);