Madame or Mademoiselle?

I just read an article about a group of women's rights activists here in France, who are campaigning to get the word 'Mademoiselle' taken off administration forms.  Their argument is that men are 'Monsieur' all their lives, but women are either Madame or Mademoiselle. They argue, that the terminology, is linked solely to the marital status.  Mind you I can see there point, but I think it would be a shame to drop the word 'Mademoiselle' from the French language. Although its not the word they are against, (its actually considered a compliment to older women, to be called Mademoiselle), I should be so lucky,  what these feminists are saying is, on administration forms, tax forms, ballot forms, it should not be obligatory to divulge ones marital status for one gender, and not another.  It seems that in French-speaking Canada 'Mademoiselle' has long been confined to addressing schoolgirls only.

But surly in Britain and America, you would be asked 'is that Miss or Mrs' or is that still the case?  Mind you, I don't think a man is asked 'are you married' but I suppose it depends on the circumstances.  I don't think that when a man fills in administration forms, tax forms or ballot forms they are asked if they are married, or are they?  Although in France, men are not asked to divulge their marital status.  Maybe they should just have a box to tick for men and women 'are you married? a yes or no box, and that would solve it.  Or maybe they should have forms for 'single' and 'married' people.

Mind you I hate being called Madame, it conjures up an old maid image for me. In France they don't have an equivalent for Ms, so maybe they should have that in French, I wonder what they would call it?

If you look up the dictionary the word 'Madame' means 'My Lady' the feminine form of 'Lord' but 'Madame' can also refer to a woman who runs a brothel, maybe thats why I don't like being called it.

Also when I was young older people would refer to young ones as being 'a wee Madame', which meant you were too grown-up for your age.









Quote for today:
'When you call me Madame, smile'