Noted. Thanks Grandad.

Public employee, they work for you, I'd do it like any other employee!

How is the English version of madame pronounced here? In the UK, when I was prosecuting, police witnesses used to call me "ma'am" ( pronounded "marm"), and that was how I addressed women magistrates. Saying madame, except when speaking French, would sound strange to me.

I think you just miss that e off the end. Mad'm or something similar.

Come to think of it, I can also remember being addressed as "madam chairwoman" (by a Conservative aged about 93, probably). I think "marm" is a legal system thing.

Not sure where you are but here out west it's pronounced 'maam' (imagine a texan cowboy saying it!)

I've been greeted quite a few times like that and I thought it was lovely - until it was pointed out that it's a Canadian way to refer to an 'older' lady.

Search on Youtube for "Malcolm Tucker" from "The thick of it" & "In the loop". That will give you a masterclass on addressing politicoes. Think "Yes Minister" updated for a new century and with lots of profanity.

If she's a looker...sugartits.

laughed out loud at that!

If she's not a looker -"what's occurring?"

You could call her Madam Secretary when first introduced and then refer to her as She thereafter!

and i she's really plug ugly then "Bryn"

Or if she's a bit on the large size "Smithy"

I predict Madam Secretary will be totally charmed by Novocastrian, and there's a chance she'll laugh and say, "Oh just call me Jane." Getting money, I don't know about.

In other words he will be doing some ass kissing then

Flat cap in hand and border collie at heel. :-) There's a difference between kissing ass and being charming though and I'd expect Novo to remain dignified.