What is the difference between Mrs., Ms., Miss., and ma' am?

salam Ombadda and Jawahir

Mrs. is falling out of use because it is used to make women drop their family's name and pick up the husband's family name. it was from the days that women were treated as property bought by the husbands, hence the shunning of the title. However, it is still in use. for Sudanese and other Muslim women it is out of the question as we have to adhere to our fathers' names. except in Pakistan that kept the old English tradition, but getting out of it gradually.
unmarried ladies, old or young, go for Miss or Ms. Those who would like to make it perfectly clear that they are not married usually go by Miss.
Ms. is used for all even women who keep their husbands' family names are opting for Ms. now
In the United Stated Madam or Ma'am is used to address senior women ( senior is the "politically correct" title for old people). many women do not like it as it remind us of being old ladies.

on a lighter note
Ms. is trying to fix a mistake she committed a few days or years ago
Miss is an advertisement of availability
Mrs. is I live in a feudal system, no help needed
Ma'am is for don't mess with me I have been there done that.
As Jawahir sair Ma'am is used without being followed by the name
Also Madam unlike Ma'am is used to indicate a woman who is in the business of fixing dates between men and women, as in the "Washington Madam"

(Edited by Asma Abdel Halim on 04-17-2013, 03:27 AM)
(Edited by Asma Abdel Halim on 04-17-2013, 03:30 AM)
(Edited by Asma Abdel Halim on 04-17-2013, 03:35 AM)

Arabic Forum