How do you formally address...
 

...a female Parliamentary Secretary?

I have to deal with one tomorrow and I don't know. Ministers are obvious. Madame Secretary sounds a bit American. Any advice?

Of course, she's a Harperist, so just spitting is one possibility.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Salutation: Dear Ms 'lastname'

On the envelope "The Hon 'first and last name' MP
Parliamentary Secretary for . . . ."


In person, oi **** face or more traditionally just Ms 'lastname'

Re: How do you formally address...
 

It's face to face though. But I'm still not wearing a tie. **** that.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

As I said above, just; Ms 'whatever her last name is'.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Ms Surname or Mrs or Miss, depending on her preference. I've had no dealings with Canadian politicians, but in the UK parliamentary secretaries are the lowest of the low - third tier of minister. I gather they are a bit higher here, but it makes no difference. There's no reason to address a politician at that level by a special title.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

It's second tier here. I've dealt with Ministers and usually they like being addressed as Minister. In Canada Deputy Ministers are civil servants so bugger them, Parliamentary Secretaries are probably prima donnas even if they're not women. ;)

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Madame.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

will Sir Humphry not go across very well?

or if you followed his (+ more recently Cameron's) style, then perhaps 'Dear lady' would ensure the meeting ended quickly ;)

Re: How do you formally address...
 

"Now Then"

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Excellent plan.

I'm thinking of "Hi {firstname}, how's it going?"

What do you think?

Re: How do you formally address...
 

"Darling fascist bully boy..?"



I'll get Neil's coat that I've obviously stolen.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

It probably should be Madame if face to face, but I would probably just hedge my bets, shake her hand and say "I am very pleased to meet you" and not use any titles or honorifics at all just to avoid egg on my face

Of course the other option is to use the midlands vernacular and say "Eh up me'duck"

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Wot cheor canny lass.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

"Milk, no sugar, thanks love."

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Perfect.

I think I'll just go with Madame (no french accent).

Avec du lait, pas du sucre s'il vous plait is a close second.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Arent you moving to France so why give a **** what you call her unless you think she can deport you and you would like to return some time in the future.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

What about some Yorkshire

"Ah'm reet pleesed ta meet tha Pet."

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Do you mean YOU don't know?

<sighs while shaking head>

Re: How do you formally address...
 

"y'alreeeet pet?'

Re: How do you formally address...
 

I'm missing your point. The only other time I've dealt with a Parliamentary Secretary I just called him {firstname}. But he was a Liberal and not a female.

We got on really well.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Grand plan. I'll add "d'yer fancy a shag?".

Should break the ice nicely.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

I think that should do it. She'll be eating out of your hand in no time.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Largely because I hope to tap her for some significant research funding. And I'm a very polite person.

Of course I'm a citizen so the rest of your post is irrelevant.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Wouldn't "tits oot" and "wahey" be more traditional?

Re: How do you formally address...
 

But of course you are;) Maybe Tony Clement might have some input if you receive funding or not as it is taxpayers money you are hoping to tap into.
You might also have done a Conrad Black for all I know i.e renouncing citizenship for all I know so that would be very relevant to my post :p

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Shouldn't it be "buggerallmoney, buggerallmoney"?

Re: How do you formally address...
 

I'm sure with your charming wit and reparte she'll just hand you over a credit card and tell you to have at 'er.

I'd tend to agree with the others who know what they are talking about "Ms Whateveritis" just sounds polite :)

Re: How do you formally address...
 

"Ms" also has the advantage of winding up certain kinds of right wing woman who see it as political correctness gone mad.

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Is she francophone or anglophone?

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And are you part of the whole 'innovation' type thing?

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Christ, if you've nothing coherent to say, then don't say anything.

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Anglophone.

I rather hope so. Although I've no idea what you're talking about.

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Really :confused: In a 'non knowing what to address anyone correctly as kind of way' I just see it as a safe bet because a) you don't want to be too formal by using the first name and b) you don't want to presume that she is either single / married / divorced / widowed.

Thats just common sense

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Good point. "Ms" it is then.

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:thumbup: i'm with you on this.

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Rather sensitive today arent we. A case of nerves perhaps or still getting over the 5-2 drubbing on the weekend.
BTW my name is not Christ as I dont walk on water or change water into wine.

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If you say that you are helping bring about 'innovation' you're bound to get some research dollars...seems to be where research funding is moving these days...

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What a pity.............

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Strikes FL from the friends list

Re: How do you formally address...
 

Except when she has her own government website. I think she'll have expected me to look. She's married.

So "Ms" it is.