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I'm with Griff, on this one.
1. For formal letters to an individuals, it was "Mr." or "Ms." and last name. No knowledge of marital status necessary--"Miss" was already out the door (typing class from 30+ years ago)
2. For mixed groups (male, female) audience, use "Ladies and Gentlemen," (military knocked this one in my head)
3. If you're _sure_ it's going to be a male- or femal-only audience, "Gentlemen," or "Ladies,", respectively. (again, military).
All of these are, at their base, built on older views on how societies work. OTOH, they generally get me through all the more common sticky wickets.
vuolsi così colà dove si puote
ciò che si vuole, e più non dimandare
--The answer to Minos and any question of "Why are we doing it this way?"
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0x01AA wrote: How should I address a woman in a business letter / mail:
Jane Doe,
It has come to our attention that you want to buy the
Acme Manufacturing Plant and we would be happy to
discuss terms.
Sincerely,
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A good solution. But name somebody by his/her Name even it is pre/sur is very personal... at least in german speaking europe; I'm aware, we are too conservative 
It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question
modified 19-Jan-21 21:04pm.
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Hey hey mama, 
No, just go with Ms. and you'll generally not come under condemnation. Those who would prefer being called Mrs. will usually tell you politely where those who prefer Ms. might burn your house down for the wrong salutation.
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Thank you
It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question
modified 19-Jan-21 21:04pm.
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Yes, the name Leslie can be a tough one, being an androgynous name, like Pat, or Jordan. If you know the first name, it's best just to address them as such and leave off the last name...unless you live in the Southern US, where it is proper to put a Mr. or Ms. before the first name, usually for older folks.
So either Leslie, or Ms. Leslie...unless it's a guy, then it's Leslie, or Mr. Leslie, or just Les, depending on how well you now him...but don't call him Ray! 
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
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Thank you very much for your help 
It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question
modified 19-Jan-21 21:04pm.
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Generally speaking, Leslie is male and Lesley is the female version. That used to be almost always the case; these days you occasionally find exceptions but I suspect they are often spelling errors on the part of the parent or registrar!
In the UK at least it would be very strange to be addressed as Mr Fred, or Ms Susan (without a surname). Confuses the formality of a title with the informality of a first name. When we see it we generally assume the writer is not a native English speaker. We see it most in spam emails and also hear it in calls from Indian call centres...
Of course, if you're writing a letter of complaint, a good salutation is the firm but simple
Sir,
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It's safer to use "Ms." as it's valid for both "Miss" and "Mrs."
/ravi
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Thanks a lot
It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question
modified 19-Jan-21 21:04pm.
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That's exactly what we learned in English class at school.
Disclaimer: At least officially, we wer taught "British" English. Maybe the use of Ms is different in American English.
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Member 7989122 wrote: At least officially, we wer [sic] taught "British" English.
Me too.
Member 7989122 wrote: Maybe the use of Ms is different in American English.
'Tis the same. 
/ravi
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0x01AA wrote: How should I address a woman in a business letter / mail:
Mrs or Ms?
I'd go with:
Dear Sir/Madam:
I'm retired. There's a nap for that...
- Harvey
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Thank you, sounds very formal but good.
It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question
modified 19-Jan-21 21:04pm.
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You said you'd written to her before, so presumably she has replied to you. How did she sign it? Ms, Mrs or Jane?
First contact should be Dear Sir/Madam, or Dear Ms Doe. Subsequent contact use whatever she signs off as.
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Thank you. She sign pre/second Name.
It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question
modified 19-Jan-21 21:04pm.
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Simple solutions are:
Just use their first name
Dr/Prof (overstating their qualifications/flattery never does any harm!)
Lady/Highness - good for grovelling/being sarcastic
However we really need a modern, polite term to address a person of any gender/martial status with or without a name. Bit like the old 'Dear Sir'
Perhaps
Dear Hum (as in Human)
Dear Sap (as in Homo Sapiens and has the benefit of annoying any Neanderthals still around)
or my favourite
Dear XYX - covers nearly everyone
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Thanks for this.
It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question
modified 19-Jan-21 21:04pm.
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You seem to have left out Miss.
Also, for a while they were working with Mx., which would also encompass Mr. so it wouldn't be gender specific.*
How ironic that, in current times, it's now become quite the converse - people insisting upon gender titles - even if it's one they change on a daily basis, or as the mood strikes them.
Oh Brave New World !
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Your asking this question in the Lounge....
There is about a 0.00000001% chance that your going to get anything anywhere near serious (And Iv'e probably just skewed those odds with this reply)
Your not going to get a serious answer in here, not because of any offensiveness, but simply because it's the lounge.
Think of this place like the "School Playground of Code Project", what happens here, stays here, and answering serious questions is not a concept easily understood.
EDIT
[DANG] - I retract my words.... I didn't notice there was a second page!!!
I'm impressed, go "The Lounge"!!!
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It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question
modified 19-Jan-21 21:04pm.
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Peter Shaw wrote: Think of this place like the "School Playground of Code Project"
That explains all the running around with scissors and matches... 
Common sense is admitting there is cause and effect and that you can exert some control over what you understand.
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YUP
Interesting fact, I'm lead to believe it was me that started all that scissors and matches stuff in the first place 
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Peter Shaw wrote: , I'm lead to believe it was me that started all that scissors and matches stuff in the first place
Nah, crazy antics have been going on forever around here. Unless you are referencing something else?
Edit, wow, I just looked, I have been floating in and out of CP for over 14yrs now. Sheesh.
Common sense is admitting there is cause and effect and that you can exert some control over what you understand.
modified 27-Mar-18 18:49pm.
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