Does it really matter?

[anotheoldgit]

I know this is not really a news question, but since I have recently been criticised on this site for using the wrong term of address, I thought I would post on here in the hope that I may get an answer to my question.

On this mornings radio a presenter was introducing some woman spokesperson.

He started by saying welcome "whatever her name was" who is the Chair Woman of "such and such" an organisation, (please forgive me for not remembering the specific names)

To this introduction the woman rudely announced to the presenter " I do not wish to be called Chair Woman" "Then what do I call you then", asked the presenter, maybe 'Chair person'? No the woman sharply replied 'The Chair' that is what I should be addressed as.

Well the question I must ask is does it really matter, and even if it did was National Radio a suitable place to correct the presenter over such a trivial matter?

[Zeuhl]

<<The Chairman of a company would find no difficulty in being called exactly what he was. >>

Really? Which Chairman are you referring to specifically? How many are you actually in contact with? Today I mean, not 30 years ago.

And do you understand the distinction between the 'Chairman' of the Board of Directors of a Company and the 'Chair' of a Committee. The former are most often referred to these days as Chief Executive to avoid the gender assumptions.

<<the 'feminist lobby' who have brought all this PC nonsense into fruition. >>

In the real professional world (not Old Git world) getting someone's name and title right isn't about being politically correct - just correct.

[Brenden]

Zeuhl, I worked in local government for over 20 years, in that time the title has been changed three times, Chairman/woman, Chairperson and now The Chair, yes it is politically correctness.

[Brenden]

Sorry, political correctness.

[Zeuhl]

Brenden I was referring to <the real professional world>

not Local Government

(sorry only joking - couldn't resist that)

[DTCwordfan]

Guess you now call the "Board" the "Sofa" to go along with the "Chair"...

[Brenden]

My shoulders are broad Zeuhl, I cannot take offense over petty things.

[mike11111]

Sheer drivel. As I was taught in my first year of studies with regard to statutory interpretation, "The male always embraces the female."

[jd_here]

Chair is a piece of furniture, Mr Chairman or Madam Chairman are, in my mind, the appropriate addresses for this office......bl00dy germain Greer!

[pretty_snowdrop]

When i left Uni, i got a job as Draftsman even though i was a woman. Perhaps i should sue them!

[OrdsallSi]

This time you are correct aog i hate people with their nose stuck up their b um.


I bet she gets out of the bath to f@rt

[Gladeian]

As I remember things the female chairman was always referred to as "Madam Chairman" (Magistrates Courts) Whats wrong with that? Or actually whats wrong with just the term "chairman" - we are after all mankind not "kind"

[jno]

I agree, aog: she's rude. Madam Chair may wish to be identified with a piece of furniture when addressed within her own organisation, and good luck to her; but I don't see why she should expect to impose this on another organisation which is not addressing her at all, merely describing her. The BBC may well have its own internal style for describing people. I don't know what it is, but they are entitled to their usage too.

[joeluke]

Chairwoman, chairperson, chair......who gives a stuff?

This woman has obviously got ideas above her station and thinks she is actually more important than she actually is

[boxtops]

IMO, the radio station was not the place to throw a wobbly, I'd have just said "actually, I'm known as the Chair" - but that in itself is stupid. I chair a local voluntary committee and I've made it known that I am the Chairman, female or not. Our local mayors have been women for the last two administrations, and they are always called Mr Mayor. It's the post which carries the title, irrespective of male or female. No point in making a point, and making yourself look stupid in the process.

[askyourgran]

It gives sitting on the chair a whole new meaning. Silly old woman.

[rov1100]

I guess she had four legs, all stilted!

[Maydup]

Its modern rather than old fashioned that's what it is.

Nothing to do with sexism or political correctness, we're beyond that really. Its just plain old fashioned not to accept that the position is know known as "Chair".

Similarly, I'm a Manager and its been a very long time since someone called me a Manageress. Its just dated language really. Another example is Head Teachers. (Not Headmaster or Headmistress, just Head Teachers now)

[BertiWooster]

//...Our local mayors have been women for the last two administrations, and they are always called Mr Mayor. //

boxtops - Surely not - that's not right

Madam Mayor , yes - but not Mr mayor

[anotheoldgit]

Maidup

/// Its modern rather than old fashioned that's what it is.///

/// Nothing to do with sexism or political correctness, ///

Of course it is due to sexism and political correctness, why else is it only the feminist lobby that has started all this?

The same reason that it is modern as you put it, it was before PC was even heard of in the good old days, when one did not have to carry around a dictionary of 'modern' terms..