SAS- I am right there with you. I do not call my doctor's (or my son's doctors) by their title...but, rather by their first name. Respect, to me, is not about titles. It is about respect. I would not want Jonah's friends to call me by Ms. blankety blank. Not because of some age issue, but, I just don't like it- to me, it feels divisive. My friend's kids call me Johanna.

There is someone I know that calls me 'maam'. She is ten years my senior. I have told her I hate it. Stop it. She doesn't. She says, "that is just what I do, it is from the military". I think, wow, I have told you I dislike it, do not do it, I am your 'superior' at work, and you still do it??? Now, is THAT respectful?

Like SAS said. Whatever works or feels comfortable to you, do it. I do, generally, address someone in a business setting as Mr/Ms at the first meeting, and possibly longer, until they invite me otherwise. BUT, they are clients.....and, I wouldn't want to offend THEIR senses or right/wrong. But, as a woman, I don't like addressing men as 'Mr.' To me, it suggests a subordinate position. (You don't hear men calling other men 'Mr.', generally).

Sorry to hijack the thread, Glacier