this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2023
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I'm invited to a gala dinner hosted by our mayor for the mayor and some council members of our twinned town in the UK. As I will have some talk to both the British mayor and the council members, what are the correct terms to respectfully address them in their ranks and functions?

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I recommend "oi cunt". Seriously though, mayors and councillors aren't really high enough in the pecking order to have special terms in the UK - just be polite but otherwise treat them as normal people.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I recommend “oi cunt”.

Nice try. I'll reserve this for after the meeting, or at least when I got a good (or more precisely bad) enough impression of them :-)

Seriously though, mayors and councillors aren’t really high enough in the pecking order to have special terms in the UK

Ah, OK. That could be the reason why I found nothing so far. I was just cautious, as British officials seem to be peculiar when it comes to ranks and titles. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

As election officials it's just

"Councillor" and surname.

"Mayor" and surname.

Until they tell you to drop the formalities.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

If you are announcing them:

  • Lord Mayor: The Right Worshipful Mayor Jo/e Bloggs
  • Mayor: His/Her Worship Mayor Jo/e Bloggs

Speaking to them:

  • Lord Mayor: Lord Mayor
  • Mayor: Mr/Madam Mayor

Councillor either way: Councillor Bloggs.

At which point they'll look suitably embarrassed and say "just call me Jo/e"

If you are concerned the relevant council should have guidance on this, most of it online.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No, I'm not going to announce them ;-) But maybe, if we have a conversation going, I am going to ask him what he thinks about "His Worship".

So it is just "Mr. Mayor Lindney", which is fine with me.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

That'll do. They'd have to be a proper stuffed shirt to get their knickers in a twist over any minor lapses in etiquette. Most mayors are just local councilors.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"Mayor" and "Councillor" work, or sir and mam. Assuming you're speaking to them publicly in a council meeting, you want to keep it formal. If it's more one to one then it could be a little more relaxed.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago