Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[BMO]

Both Dr. Wayne Banton and his wife are medical doctors. How do I address them?

Dr. and Mrs. Dr. Wayne Banton?
Drs. Wayne Banton and Mrs. Wayne Banton

[asterix]

The USA being the friendly place it is you would probably call them by their first names, if you met them personally.
If you wanted to be formal, in a face to face meeting, you could address each of them as "Doctor".
If you wanted to send them a letter I think you could address it to Dr and Mrs. Wayne Banton but in today's politically correct times it might be better to address it to Drs. Wayne and Tina (or whatever her first name is) Banton or just use the in�tial of their first names.

[BMO]

Dr and Mrs. Wayne Banton is missing an MD title for the wife.

Drs. Wayne and Tina Banton doesn't say Tina Banton is his wife.

[bud]

I don't know how it is in other English-speaking countries, but in the US many women do not want to be assiated as someone's wife, especially career women. That's how "Ms." came about - the equivalent of "Mr.," which does not convey marital status.

It sounds like you are addressing mail? If so, I would go with "Drs. Wayne and Tina Banton, MD." I wouldn't worry about a plural for MD.

[BMO]

Yes, precisely, I am addressing mail. I think I got it. The fact that they share a last name does imply they are husband and wife, so Mrs. can be omitted.

The correct format is:

Drs. Wayne and Tina Banton, M.D. (What would you say if you don't know the wife's first name?)

For years, I have been writing like this:

Dr. and Mrs. Dr. Wayne Banton, M.D.

[bud]

I suspect that they are used to being addressed in different ways. It is not a common situation, and many native-speakers (including me) would not know how to handle it.

I don't know what to recommend if you don't know her first name. Is there some way you could find out what it is? Would it be comfortable for you to ask her directly?

[BMO]

Yes, that would solve the problem (using your example). Thanks a lot.

BMO

[advoca]

[BMO]

Both the husband and his wife are medical doctors, and I don't know her first name. How do you address mail to them?

[advoca]

Dear BMO,

The question you ask is not really a practical one. It is unlikely you would know the man�s given name and not the woman�s.

You are wasting everybody's time by asking absurd and unrealistic trick questions. Spend more time learning English that is meaningful and useful.

[bud]

As so often happens, Advoca, you are dead wrong! Why don't you go back and read the thread? And why must you so often be so obnoxious and arrogant? Man, I pity the students who end up with you as their English teacher!

[BMO]

Amitofu, even the last name is real. I have known these nice people for over 40 years. Both are MDs in their 80s and 70s. I am not sure about her first name.

This is how I have been addressing the envelop:

Dr. and Mrs. Dr. John Banton

If I remember correctly, someone told me 30 some years ago this is the correct way to address, but I am doubting now, hence the question.

[bud]

#5, titled, "Advoca Abuses a Student," and subtitled, "... Believing What He Imagines Is the Only Possibility."

(from Oct 2004)

[pugachevV]

BMO, why not just phone them up and ask them?
If they are nice people, they will be delighted, both to hear from you, and to answer your question as to how to address your letters.

[pugachevV]

To those of you who were wondering about someone with two Distinguished Service Crosses, you don't get two, you get a "bar" to the first. So, it's, DSC and Bar.