Business/Etiquette question: Addressing by First Name vs using wrong gender salutation

[ZephyrHawk]

I once had to write a formal letter to another attorney who had a unisex name. I spent, literally, a half hour trying to track down what gender they were. Googled, looked through their firm website, checked their state bar records. I even called up his/her voice mail, but he/she didn't have a personalized message. Finally, I found a listing that showed the attorney's middle name.

It was also unisex.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Just don't say ediquite. lol

You know, spell check didn't catch that. :<

 

[tvguy]

And I've only ever known male Mackenzies lol

The name books all list Mackenzie as a primarily female name.

 

[tvguy]

I always try and stay as generic as possible. Same with the salutation. I've had my head bitten off by women I have called MS. who hate that and want to be called Miss or Mrs. And I have had my head bitten off by women who I have called Mrs. or Miss because they want to be called MS or Dr or Captain. Same with men that don't want to be called Mr, they prefer Dr. or Captain, and without regard to gender when is someone who is a religious leader a Pastor, Father, Elder, Lay Leader?

 

[JessM]

I always just use their first name. I'm an engineer and our clients seem to be getting more casual than formal (I've worked here 5 years).

 

[DopeyDame]

My name is one that can be either a boy or girl name. PLEASE don't guess and get it wrong. I would so much rather someone address me just by my first name than by Mr Soandso.