Addressing People Correctly

A.

In most American and British companies it is perfectly acceptable to call people by their first name in the majority of cases. However, in other national cultures, for example German, where it is more likely to use their title, perhaps Doctor, followed by their surname. If you’re not sure, it’s probably best to go for a title and surname. If someone asks you to be more informal with them, then you can go for the first name.

Read the following word groups aloud several times. Please don’t try to learn by-heart. Your sub-conscious mind will do that job, even without your knowledge, and rush onto your tongue whenever required. Yes, your job is just to read these word groups aloud several times.

B.

Addressing people you know

• Most British and American people use their first names in all informal situations:
• John
• Mary
• To be more formal, check:
• May I call you John?
• Do you mind if I call you Mary?
• How may I call you?
• How can I address you?
• To be formal, use title and surnames:
• Mr. Smith;
• Mrs. Jones;
• Miss Smith

C.

Addressing strangers

• There is no general word and most people use:
• Excuse me…
• With a man, to be very formal, or if he is a superior, use:
• Sir….
• To be informal or rude, use:
• Hey you;
• Mister
• To be formal to a woman, use:
• Madam; (M’am)
• Miss
• To call a teenager, use:
• Young man;
• Miss/Madam
• To call a young child, use:
• Son Sonny;
• Little girl;
• Dear
• To call a policeman, use:
• Officer
• To call a waiter or barman, use:
• Waiter;
• Barman
• To call a waitress or barmaid, use:
• Miss;
• Waitress
• With a few others, use the name of the job:
• Nurse
• Doctor
• Postman
• Guard

D.

Writing letters

• On the envelope, put both names, or use titles:
• John Smith; Mary Jones;
• Mr. John Smith/Miss Mary Jones;
• Mr. J. Smith/Miss M. Jones;
• Starting the letter, to be formal, use:
• Dear Mr. Smith/Dear Miss Jones;
• To be informal, use the first name:
• Dear John/Dear Mary;
• To be very formal, use:
• Dear Sir/Dear Madam;