France drops use of ‘mademoiselle’ to describe unmarried women on official documents

[The Straight Story]

France drops use of ‘mademoiselle’ to describe unmarried women on official documents

PARIS — Forget what you learned in French class about "madame" and "mademoiselle." The French government now says women's marital status shouldn't matter, at least when it comes to this country's far-reaching bureaucracy.

A new circular from the prime minister's office Tuesday orders officials to phase out the use of "mademoiselle" on administrative documents.

Until now, a woman has been required to identify herself as a married "madame" or an unmarried "mademoiselle" on everything from tax forms to insurance claims and voting cards. France offers no neutral option like the English "Ms."

Men don't face this issue: Their only option is "monsieur," married or not.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/france-drops-mademoiselle-describe-unmarried-women-official-documents-article-1.1026915?localLinksEnabled=false

[onehandle]

1. This will be interesting. If you are ever in France, it's proper to call an adult woman 'Madame.'

But there is a tricky age where a woman can take it very personally, one way or another.

If they appear to be between 18 and 24, it's safer to use neither.

'Excusez-moi.'

Instead of...

'Excusez-moi, madame.'

For example.