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"Liberté, Egalité, Confrérie."?
This is interesting. Though not being sexist I must admit it isn’t something to which I had previously given too much thought.
I do recall though when back in the early 1960s the Grammar School I attended banned the use of the term ‘Master’. Either as title applied to a young boy or indeed to a teacher. I am sure many boys had previously attended the school with the family name of Bates but the edict only followed appointment of a new Maths teacher (or ‘Master’) of the same name. As is quite normal though all teachers were given nicknames by the pupils. The Maths teacher’s henceforth rhymed with Banker. I'm sure he must have been pleased with the way the opportunity created by this early bit of 'PC' had been opened up for him.
Personally I will lament the passing of the pretty word mademoiselle. I just cannot imagine why any single woman, particularly a young single woman, would be offended by it. I suspect the move is simply a triumph for looney leftist spinsters with a hatred of all things perceived as masculine inspired. And we all know why that happens! Despite their best efforts I dare say these types will nonetheless still continue to be referred to as vieille bique (old hag).
I am confident that common sense and necessity will ultimately prevail though and people here will simply have to find other appropriate and polite ways of identifying the difference in marital status.
I wonder what the French word is for ‘floozy’.
I've finished holding doors for ladies now.
For the day anyway.
