That’s the GSA, which is only one component of “the government.”
(Plus I have trouble taking as gospel the word of an agency that can’t even spell-check its own table – take a gander at how many times the word “Washinton” appears.)
AFAIK Mrs Thatcher was never addressed as Madame Prime Minister, the title Prime Minister is not gender specific and title Mr. Prime Minister is not used.
She was addressed as:
Prime Minister
Prime Minister Thatcher
Mrs. Thatcher
Maggie
and occasionally,
sir
Well, I just might take up that bet and say that HE will be referred to as “Mr. President”
The General Services Administration is the closest thing we have to a “protocol” office, and they’re the closest thing we’re going to get to a primary source.
And hey, typos happen.
The General Services Administration is the closest thing we have to a “protocol” office, and they’re the closest thing we’re going to get to a primary source.
And hey, typos happen.
How do you figure that? GSA is a logistics arm – their mission statement is:
We help federal agencies better serve the public by offering, at best value, superior workplaces, expert solutions, acquisition services and management policies.
Of that, “management policies” is as close as I can see to “protocol,” but that’s management of stuff, not management of people. Sorry, I’m not buying that the GSA is the closest thing we have, especially considering that virtually every governmental organization with more than two employees has a protocol office.
Whatever. ::rolls eyes Come up with a better cite, then.
Check upthread before you roll your goddamn eyes at me, especially if you’re not going to get the coding right.
Don’t curse at me.
Maybe I’m mis-remembering Miss Manners, but I recall this as being key. There is only one President, Governor, Mayor, Chief Justice, Speaker, etc. at a time. Thus, only one person is ever properly addressed by that title.
It’s different for offices where many people hold the same title simultaneously. A Senator, Congressman, Judge, General, etc. retains that title for life (or until receiving a higher one). There is some slop in that system: What about a General who is elected to Congress, then appointed as Justice to the Supreme Court? In such a case, I suppose it’s the preference of the one being addressed. And if that’s the case, it might as well apply to everyone.
But she said, “they may revert to an earlier title, such as ‘General’ or ‘Governor.’”
Clearly, “Governor” is not unique for some reason. I think she just developed a bug that “President” was so grand that no one but the current should use it. If Ross Perot had been elected President, then he would carry no honorific after leaving office. This is ridiculous and nowhere near what the proper etiquette should be.
The rank of General of the Army (5-star) still exists in todays army, but no one has held that rank in half a century. There was talk of giving GEN Schwarzkopf his 5th star, since he commanded a multi-national force, but they decided not to. I doubt you’ll see the 5th star unless we get into WWIII, though.
Jman