Proper Greeting to Senators

Sensitivity to forms of address demonstrates respect for elected officials.

Certified protocol consultant Jay Remer contends that you communicate respect for an individual, the office or position he holds as well as yourself by how you address him "verbally or in writing, formally or socially." Titles or phrases used to convey that respect are called honorifics.

Verbal Greetings

We should greet state and U.S. senators with the honorific, "Senator [surname]." However, in Washington, D.C., or in the presence of U.S. Senate members, the honorific "State Senator [surname]" becomes the state official's proper form of address.

Titles

Americans give just one honorific at a time: the highest an individual is entitled to use. Should a senator also be a medical doctor or hold a doctorate degree, the honorific "Senator [surname]" applies when you are his constituent, "Dr. [surname]" when you are his patient or student.

Former Office Holders

Situations involving a former senator demand the honorific "Mr./Ms./Mrs. [surname]." The use of "Ms." depends on the individual's preference. Adding a short description of the office held is acceptable practice for introductions. For example, "Ms. Doe served two terms as senator from Iowa."

References

• MEIN Magazine: The Etiquette of Forms of Address: Addressing Elected Officials
• The Free Dictionary: Honorifics
• The Protocol School of Washington: Online Guide to Forms of Address; State Senator
• The Protocol School of Washington: Online Guide to Forms of Address
• The Protocol School of Washington: Online Guide to Forms of Address: United States Senator

Resources

• Protocol: The Complete Handbook of Diplomatic, Official & Social Usage; Mary Jane McCaffree; 1999