Following a comment in another thread by Bluexxx, it occured to me that there isn't a common genderless title or other personal reference. That may not have made sense - here's a couple of examples.
My name is Mrs Fox (hardly a stretch from my usernama) - I could use Ms but I hate it for some reason. I don't have the right to use Rev, Dr or Prof so what could I use that is a title to preface my surname with that doesn't inform people of my gender?
Also what about Sir or Madam (Ma'am in the thread mentioned above)? A label denoting that little bit extra respect (or sarcasm). When I worked for a Japanese company, one lovely Japanese manager called me by may 1st name and added San at the end. But I'm pretty sure that is normally a masculine term.
So, in the example of a waiter in a nice restaurant, he says "Good evening, xxx, table for two?" If we want to move to a genderless greeting, without losing the opportunity for the greeting altogether - what could he say?
Très difficile foxy in a western society if not impossible altogether.
The -san and -samma Japanese honorific suffixes are truly without gender and there is nothing like it in British-speak.
The French maybe the closest but not without the complication of gender. Females have 3 possible styles of address but males at whatever age only one. The French are toying with the equivalent of 'Miss' but you are only likely to find this in places like Paris for some time to come.
In France, it is becoming more commonplace though when in the company of a male/female couple for people to say a combination of 'Mr and Mrs' (in French) so in your example, "Good evening, xxx, table for two?" it would be Bonsoir, M'sieur Dame, une table pour deux?".
I guess what I also object to is the PC title 'Chair' instead of 'Chairman' (which is actually genderless).
It always pisses me off and makes me want to ask whether the table has a view....
H.R.H.
Genderless (if you say it right) and frankly, I'm worth it.
:swish:
My greatness can only be preceded by an introduction from the high priests of trippy floaty music genius- The Orb :thumbup:
I know I shouldn't encourage it but :laughabove::laughabove::laughabove:
:lol: :lol:
