While filling out the final paperwork for my membership into the Junior League, I became quite flummoxed. You see, I was not sure if I should call myself a "Mrs." or "Ms." Up until this point, I have been signing everything Ms. due to the sheer fact that I don't feel like a Mrs. I am neither a mother nor a teacher, and it just seems that Mrs. sounds much older than my ripe young age. I am a wife, and the Ms. before my name just looks quite nice.
As much as I want to keep on being a Ms., I also know that a Junior League application is that last place I want to make an etiquette faux pas. Luckily for me, my ever thoughtful mother and sister gave me the 17th edition of Emily Post's Etiquette, so I was able to get my title correct.
- Miss is reserved for unmarried females under the age of 18.
- Ms. can be used by both married and unmarried women! In fact, it is the preferred default title in business, unless the woman explicity lets you know that she prefers to be a Mrs.
- Mrs. is used by separated and divorced women. It is also used socially by married women when using both your and your husband's name; for example, when signing the register at a wedding or a wake (Mr. and Mrs. John Married).
Although nowdays one is probably not looked upon unfavorably by using any title she wishes, I do still prefer to go the traditional route on some things.
Signed,
Ms. Happily Married
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7 comments:
i absolutely LOVE tutorials on this kind of thing and found this one to be particularly insightful!
Thanks for sharing! I've referred to myself as Mrs. for the past few years despite the fact that it makes me sound so old. I guess I'll switch to Ms. :)
Ms. it is then! Good to know and good luck in the Junior League! You will do great things!
Thanks for the info. I didn't know all of these years I could have used Ms. I didn't like the fact using Mrs. when we first got married for the simple reason it sounded so old. LOL...
What a great book! You will probably use this all the time!
Thanks for the encouragement! I ran/walked for 30 minutes yesterday. I ran a block and walked a block. A friend told me about the couch potato to 5k yesterday actually so I followed that. Thanks! I think it will really work!
You are so very welcome, Ms. Munn!
I've referred to myself as a Ms. since getting married as well (for the reasons you listed, especially that "Mrs." just seems much older!) I am glad to know that it's ok with Emily Post if I continue to do so! :) Thanks for sharing.
Also, I am a little behind from the holidays, but I wanted to say thank you for stopping by and commenting on my blog!
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