Use of Madam - Gran and the Healer

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 87025

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "arcum42" <Arcum_Dagsson at c...>
wrote:

> The Healer in St. Mungos calls Nevilles granmother "Mrs Longbottom", 
> but we don't know her heritage...
> 
> --Arcum

bboy_mn:

As I said and implied in my previous post, 'Madam' is a courtesy title
used to show great respect, and is usually used Junior to Senior, in
addition, it is a title of respect that ignores marital status. A
woman working in a profression stands and is recognised on her own
merit, and is therefore referenced without regard to her attachment or
lack of attachment to a husband. 

The healer at St. Mungos may have seen Mrs. Longbottom as a
contemporary, and therefore did not see the need to use a junior to
senior courtesy reference. Also, in the hospital the healer is the
professional and in her element which would imply the SHE is the one
to whom respect is due.

At the sametime, Gran Longbottom is an older, respected member of the
community and a customer of the hospital, therefore the healer would
neither talk down to Gran nor would she minimize her own respectful
attitude. 

All things combine into the use of 'Mrs.' since it is respectful, but
does not acknowledge superiority of social status. 

Just a thought.
bboy_mn