What about other French-speaking countries?
The term “ miss ” has been disappearing all over the world for the last fifty years.
The Swiss administration abolished the term “ miss ” in 1973, Quebec in 1976, Luxembourg in 2012 and Belgium in 2015. Now it’s their turn to join the movement.
In other countries, the question has never arisen. This is the case in Sweden and Norway. The titles simply don’t exist.
So, can we call someone miss?
We tend to gender a lot of situations that don’t need to be gendered at all. Let’s ask ourselves what the real need is for a gendered term here? Why add “miss” to a sentence or greeting that could simply be “Hello” or the person’s first name? Using gender-neutral terms avoids taking for granted and assuming the gender identity of all people.
Finally, you don’t risk a fine if you call a woman “miss” in the street. Similarly, in your private life, there’s nothing to stop you using the term. You may even know people who like to be called miss.
However, the evolution in the use of the term “ miss ” reflects a shift towards a more inclusive approach in the workplace. Abandoning terms that perpetuate stereotypes and restrictive gender norms fosters a professional environment where every individual is treated with respect and fairness, regardless of marital status or gender.
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