One of William's classmates is a very outspoken little girl. She's very bossy. (Politically correct version: She has leadership skills.) She loves to tell people what to do, and she's a very superior little being.
The teacher said, "Does anyone have any questions?"
"Mrs. M------------?"
And the patient answer came: "Yes, Addison."
And the question: "Are you married?"
The teacher looked startled. "Why?" she asked.
"Because your name has a Mrs. in front of it, and if you're not married, that is a big lie."
I was horrified. My response would have been that it wasn't her business.
The little snip offered up, "Everyone is talking about it."
Mrs. M----------- hesitated but said, "No. I am not married," and went on to the next question from the next child in a very business-like fashion.
"That was a stupid question," William commented.
"Yes. It was also rude and not really Addison's business."
Teaching.
Not for sissies.
But you took the opportunity to explain to the grandson that one shouldn't ask personal questions. You turned the lemon into lemonade!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree that it isn't my business, I often struggle with the female label of Ms. and Mrs. It used to mean what the girl said that one was married to use Mrs. but these days that no longer seems to be the case anymore. That just leaves me confused.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the teacher is divorced or a widow. Whilst not technically married, she is certainly entitled to use the title "Mrs".
ReplyDeleteAnd yet another resounding reason why both "Ms" should be a title given without question, and "none of your f'ing business" should be allowed to be uttered by the teacher.
ReplyDeleteAs in France, once past a certain age one is no longer Mamselle, and you get promoted to Madame...in English one became Mistress..shortened to Mrs. . As in Shakespeare's Mistress Quickly....it did not use to have anything to do with marital status
ReplyDeleteThat last one makes sense. Thanks for the lesson!
ReplyDeleteI got questioned by students about why I hyphenated my name, some of them rather belligerently. Remaining calm and professional when asked personal questions can be tough. If it was reasonable, I explained the situation to the students, like about my name. I'm not married, and am a widow, but go by Mrs.
ReplyDeleteTeachers get used to it, and it tends to roll off the back as the saying goes. Not everything does, mind you, but honest questions are generally acceptable. And there are ways out if you don't want to answer, such as, "I am going to keep you guessing."
ReplyDelete