How to address letters?

Question

Hi.
Recently someone asked me why I addressed a letter to my seven year old nephew as "Master Alex Smith" and my explanation was received with blank looks. Is it still correct to address letters for males below the age of maturity as "Master" than "Mr." and females as "Miss" for underage, "Ms" for teenage to mid 20s, "Mz" for unmarried women and "Mrs" for married? or has this gone out of favor?

Answer 1

I like it. My son's godmother writes Master and I really like it.
I didn't realize it was something that was done, I thought she was just being cute.

I think we need to keep things from losing their formality. It looks more respectful too! THANKS!!!!

Answer 2

In England it is usually Mr for men, Miss for any unmarried female. Ms for girls and women who are unmarried and prefer this title, or divorced, or married but using their original names for professional reasons. Mrs for a married woman. Never heard of Mz. Perhaps it is American?

Master is the old fashioned salutation for a boy. I think it is unusual now, but I like it. My brother's formal letters were still addressed as Master until he went to uni. I use it when addressing a young boy, for a birthday card or something. It's sort of cute.

Answer 3

It's old fashioned, that's all. All the old letters and postcards addressed to my father when he was a kid back in the 40s and 50s say 'Master'. I know of no one who does that anymore but it's still totally acceptable! I suppose the Miss/Ms/Mz thing is possibly 'proper' but many women I know don't care for 'Mz' or choose to stay a 'Miss' or 'Ms' their entire life unless they marry. Usually no one really notices which is used but 'Master' is almost unheard of these days. I like it though.

Answer 4

I don't know how closely it's followed these days, but, yes, in most cases, you're correct. I believe "Ms. is acceptable for any young unmarried women (eliminating the Mz.) Master amd Miss are still quite acceptable.

Answer 5

I have a suggestion:
Master to the small children
Mr. to the adults (for married and unmarried)
Mrs. to the married women
Ms. to married or unmarried (both will do)

I haven't heard Mz. so I am not certain how it is addressed. But try the above ways and it won't effect.

Answer 6

I have never heard of that before. Guess you learn something everyday.

I usually only address men as "Mr." or "Dr." "Prof." "Sgt." or whatever their title may be if they have one.

I use "Miss" for young girls "Ms." for unmarried women and "Mrs." for married women. However if the woman has a professional title, I use that.

Answer 7

you may handle is to costly Sir or Madam, yet what i might do is call the enterprise and say you opt for to deliver a letter to A. Smith yet do no longer recognize that guy or woman's gender. the guy answering the telephone assist you to recognize. undertaking solved.

Answer 8

i do the whole miss, ms, mr, and mrs, but that's about all i've heard of, none of the specifics