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The Mrs is also an MD

 
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BMO



Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 705

PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 6:38 am    Post subject: The Mrs is also an MD Reply with quote

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
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asterix



Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 1654

PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 1:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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BMO



Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 705

PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 4:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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BMO



Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 705

PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 7:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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BMO



Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 705

PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

BMO
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advoca



Joined: 09 Oct 2003
Posts: 422
Location: Beijing

PostPosted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 4:41 pm    Post subject: Re: The Mrs is also an MD Reply with quote

BMO wrote:
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



What do you mean, BMO, when you say how do you address them? (Incidentally, both the suggestions you make are incorrect)

If you are making a speech and you want to refer to them, you should say something like, �I would like to thank Doctor Wayne Banton and Doctor Janice Banton,�

If you do not know what his wife�s given name is, you have a problem. You could say, �I would like to thank Doctor Wayne Banton and his wife, Doctor Banton.� but that would be clumsy and would show your lack of knowledge

If you are addressing an envelope you should either write, Dr Wayne Banton and Dr Janice Banton. There is no alternative if you want yo use the honorific title.

But are these two people medical doctors? In this case you have no alternative to putting the word doctor before both names and you will have to give the given name in both cases.

If the two doctors are not medical doctors, then in America (and in most cases in England too) you would address you envelope to Wayne and Janice Banton.

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

While we are discussion such improbable situations, how would you address a man who has two doctorates? In Germany he would be called Dr Dr Schmidt.

And how do you address a man with two Distinguished Crosses, Colonel Banton DSC, DSC, or Colonel Banton DSCs?

And before anyone answers, I am not seriously asking, believe me.
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BMO



Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 705

PostPosted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 7:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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



Joined: 09 Oct 2003
Posts: 422
Location: Beijing

PostPosted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 2:56 pm    Post subject: Two Doctors Reply with quote

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.
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bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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!
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BMO



Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 705

PostPosted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 4:35 pm    Post subject: Re: Two Doctors Reply with quote

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.
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bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2005 10:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

(from Oct 2004)
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pugachevV



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295

PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2005 5:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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pugachevV



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295

PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2005 5:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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