When do you call a woman ms, miss, or mrs? i am confused with the addressing. ?

Question

When do you call a woman ms, miss, or mrs? i am confused with the addressing. ?

Answer 1

Miss is for the unmarried or the currently single (i.e. divorced). Mrs. is for those who are married. Ms. (pronounced 'mizz') was devised for two reasons 1. if you don't know if the person is married or not and 2. to be politically correct. (Men are always called Mr. and some women think that they should be able to keep their same title throughout their lives as well).

When in doubt, use Ms. !  

Answer 2

This is old school: When I took advanced typing (~1970) we were taught to use Miss. or Mrs. if you knew for fact that this was the woman's preference (you are replying to her message where she used that title).  Otherwise, even if you knew her marital status, it would be Ms.

Answer 3

Titles.  We used to show respect through titles; Dr., Mr, Mrs., Miss - Master, Madam, Aunt, Uncle, etc -  and over the last 40 years, it seems that many people have shrugged off these old customs - and became down right casual about everything; Ms. came out in the 70's I believe - as a direct result of femenism.  There is no distinguishing between a married and unmarried male - but there is when you say Miss or Mrs.- for females.  

Female celebrities are often referred to [perhaps more so in the past] - as Miss - making them more alluring or approachable/available.

Honestly, I personally believe we lost something we may never recapture again in our society; a sort of respect for authority and accomplishment; to be called by a first name meant intimacy, a closeness - it made distinction between acquaintance and friend. You would never address your boss as Charlie or Sue - you would call them by their proper name.

Mr. - a gentleman over a certain age

master - for young boys age 7 and up.

Mrs. - a married woman

Miss - an unmarried woman - or a woman you did not know if she were married or not.

Ms. came out in the 70's of the female equalvalent to Mr.

Answer 4

I like Ms.  I dont mind Mrs either.  I never make a big deal with it. If an elder prefers to be called Mrs Smith it is because she comes from the day it is proper.  My kids friends call me Ms Will.  Wilhelmina is a long name.

Answer 5

It will depend on how well you know the person you are addressing.  If she is obviously married, MRS.  If she is obviosly unmarried, MISS.  If you do not know, MS.

Answer 6

miss- a young lady, or an unmarried lady

ms.- an older lady who is unmarried, reference to someone older than you, though still respectful

mrs.- married, and is regardless of age