If you are visiting a doctor in France, what is the correct way to address him or her? Would you say Monsieur or Madame, or Docteur, or something else?

In France you never call someone Docteur unless he is a Medical Doctor. It is not ill-manered to address a Mathematics PH D as doctor for instance, but it will suprise him unless he is used to the English way. (By the way, how do you say anglo-saxon?)

Sylvain, I believe that Roz is referring to visiting a medical doctor. The protocol in North America (and the UK, I believe) is to address medical doctors as "Doctor." So it sounds like the practice is the same in France?

Academics with PhDs are sometimes addressed as "Doctor" in the context of their work, sometimes as "Professor." It seems to me that this can be a localized phenomenon. I find people are addressed as "Doctor So-and-so" in universities outside of the northeast. In this region, I find more use of "Professor so-and-so."

You do address a medical doctor as "docteur" in France as well.

Cheers

Sylvain

Thanks, yes, I was talking about a medical doctor. So you would say, for example, "Bonjour, Docteur" or "Merci, Docteur" -- and that would be the same for a man or a woman?

I agree with David, by the way, in the Northeast, Ph.Ds are not usually addressed as "Doctor."

But I think I have heard that in the UK some kinds of medical doctors are called "Mister", whereas you would never say "Mr. Smith" for a medical doctor in the US.

- Roz

and if he is good in English i call mine Doc.

of course in France.

What's up, Doc?

IF your (medical) doctor is also a professor, you must never address him as "Professeur" (like many people do), only "Monsieur le Professeur", or just "Monsieur".
For doctors, say "docteur", wether its a he or a she.

Let me be sure I've got this right since I'm about to have an office visit with a physician who's also a professor. I throw up my hands and address him as "Monsieur?" Or I acknowledge his academic standing, addressing him as Monsieur le Professor."

But I do not address him as "Docteur" - because that's a lesser title?

Dave

Address him as Docteur, you will be safe. If he wants another title he will let you know. You want to see a (medical) doctor so you address him as such.

quote:

Let me be sure I've got this right since I'm about to have an office visit with a physician who's also a professor. I throw up my hands and address him as "Monsieur?" Or I acknowledge his academic standing, addressing him as Monsieur le Professor." But I do not address him as "Docteur" - because that's a lesser title?

I would just use "Monsieur", but you can say "Doctor", as he is not only a Professeur de Medecine, but also a Doctor en Medecine. Just not "Professeur".