I am going to do an overseas internship in Canada next month. Since I have never worked with foreigners before, so now I wonder what I should call my boss or colleagues.
My supervisor is a Chinese, I don't know her English name, she is much older than me and I do know she is married. Her family name is Liu (not her husband's). So may I call her Ms. Liu, or Mrs. Liu, I am not sure which one is correct. How about other foreigner supervisor? Should I call them MR. XX, MS. XX, or just call them first name directly. Can I ask them directly "Can I have your name or What should I call you"
For the colleagues which are older than me, I think I just need to call them first name?
Thanks.
Best Answer
One uses "Mrs" for a married woman, "Miss" for an unmarried woman and "Ms" when you don't know if the woman is married, or if the woman prefers "Ms". When women marry, many will change their family name to that of their husband, however if your supervisor hasn't changed her name then she is Mrs Lui or Ms Lui depending on what she prefers (there is nothing wrong with asking directly)
On first meeting use "Ms Lui" it cannot cause any offence.
You will soon pick up the way that people talk to other people at your organisation. At some organisations everybody uses "Mr" or "Mrs". At others everybody uses first names. Just follow what other people do.
You will probably find that most people just use First Names all the time, except when talking to people outside the organisation.
First Meeting:
General talk. (assuming Ms Lui is Ms Kathy Lui)
Speaking to outsiders
Always use a title with a family name ("Ms Lui" ok, "Lui" not ok)
Never use a title with a given name ("Ms Kathy" is not ok, "Kathy" is ok)