Happy to meet you Your Worship

Would you think I was joking if I told you that in Canada and Australia the proper way to address the Mayor is a His/Her Worship? It isn't a joke.  It’s correct.   But don’t use that in the United State.  There a mayor is addressed as The Honorable or Mayor of (name the city) or Mr./Madam Mayor.  Does it matter?  Absolutely.

People everywhere care that we get their names correctly.   Using the proper title can be equally, if not more, important.  In a recent Los Angeles Times article a Swiss student interning at the Seoul Museum of Art commented on the challenge of remembering how to address all the people she worked with.  In the Korean culture it’s important to address people by their title, indicating their status.  Remembering all their titles in order to be seen as polite and respectful – not an easy task for a new intern

Wondering how to know what titles to use?  Refer to Robert Hickey’s blog Forms of Address. http://www.formsofaddress.info/faq.html

Robert is a terrific friend who has an extraordinary understanding and knowledge of titles and proper forms of address.  His book Honor & Respect The Official Guide to Names, Titles & Forms of Address is a valuable resource for everyone.  You never know when you'll need to know how to address a letter or introduce someone.  Be prepared.  When you want to know "What shall I call him, her or them?"  - check with Robert.