How do I adress this letter?

Question

I wrote an email to someone I do not know real well, but have been talking to for a little while now. I addressed her with Mrs. because she used to be my teacher and she signed her first name when she replied. Does that mean I should call her by her first name or do I continue to use Mrs.?

Answer 1

Do what you're comfortable with, which obviously is the "Mrs.", but she's given you a sign to use a less formal salutation.

I don't think you need to write a disertation explaining or asking if you can use her first name. I think you're showing respect for her, given she was an educator of yours.

Answer 2

I would do this, because it seems that if she used her first name then she probably wants you to start using it as well. For this example pretend it's Betty Rubble and only use "dear" if that's comfortable, otherwise use "Hi" or whatever:

Dear Betty, (Or "Hi Betty,")

I hope it's OK to call you by your first name! You signed your e-mail that way so I assume it is OK; let me know if it isn't. Funny though, I am so used to calling you Mrs. Rubble!

Anyway, blah blah blah... and so on, just continue your correspondence from there.

This way you know for sure if it is OK or not, and also you find out what she prefers.

Answer 3

I think continue to use Mrs. until she invites you to use her first name.

Answer 4

It sounds like she's inviting you to have a more casual relationship since she signed only her first name.

If you feel uncomfortable calling her by her first name, you might call her Ms. First Name.

Answer 5

If she isnt married its Ms. But I would use her first name since she already broke the ice