4 ms·

Here's the thing: you're talking about someone's name. If a woman always choose to go by "Mrs", that's her choice, even if you don't like it and even if you bel

by ef4 13y ago

Here's the thing: you're talking about someone's name. If a woman always choose to go by "Mrs", that's her choice, even if you don't like it and even if you believe she was unfairly brainwashed into it. Making it impossible for people to enter their own names the way they actually use them is anti-user. It's like refusing certain characters or artificially restricting the length. Names most definitely don't make sense, and trying to force them to make sense in your software is the path to madness.

nknighthb 13y ago
There should simply be a free-form field for "How do you want to be addressed?" (e.g. "Mrs. Smith", "Dr. James", "Jack", "Woof Woof", whatever) alongside any field for an "official" name.
- jmadsen 13y ago
  That would be perfectly acceptable IMHO. The point is to not force her into giving out this type of information, rather than restricting what she WANTS to say. Most forms I see these days either leave it off, or make it free form. This article discusses those that don't. In any case, this is not "part of your name" - simply move to a country with a different language and look for the "Mrs." option.
  - undecisive 13y ago
    You're missing the point. The people of a vastly different culture may not wish to be differentiated based on their gender or marital status, but people of a certain generation take it as a point of pride, being "Mrs" or "Dr." or "Rev." or "Hon." etc. It may mean nothing to you, but it is a matter of decorum for them. And frankly I find it disgusting that people should consider it brainwashing at all. It is not. At one time, being married was a badge of honour that a woman wore with pride, and whether or not that happens to be your standard of maturity or not, it is not for you to decide what should be important in somebody else's life. If you're worried, present the user with a short text input. Give it a placeholder "e.g. Mr, Ms". Allow it to stay blank for those who want it. But don't make a judgement call on another person's behalf. It is not your place to do so.
  - einhverfr 13y ago
    If Ms is there along with Mrs and Miss, there is no forced disclosure.

by ef4 13y ago

nknighthb 13y ago

There should simply be a free-form field for "How do you want to be addressed?" (e.g. "Mrs. Smith", "Dr. James", "Jack", "Woof Woof", whatever) alongside any field for an "official" name.

jmadsen 13y ago
That would be perfectly acceptable IMHO. The point is to not force her into giving out this type of information, rather than restricting what she WANTS to say. Most forms I see these days either leave it off, or make it free form. This article discusses those that don't. In any case, this is not "part of your name" - simply move to a country with a different language and look for the "Mrs." option.
- undecisive 13y ago
  You're missing the point. The people of a vastly different culture may not wish to be differentiated based on their gender or marital status, but people of a certain generation take it as a point of pride, being "Mrs" or "Dr." or "Rev." or "Hon." etc. It may mean nothing to you, but it is a matter of decorum for them. And frankly I find it disgusting that people should consider it brainwashing at all. It is not. At one time, being married was a badge of honour that a woman wore with pride, and whether or not that happens to be your standard of maturity or not, it is not for you to decide what should be important in somebody else's life. If you're worried, present the user with a short text input. Give it a placeholder "e.g. Mr, Ms". Allow it to stay blank for those who want it. But don't make a judgement call on another person's behalf. It is not your place to do so.
- einhverfr 13y ago
  If Ms is there along with Mrs and Miss, there is no forced disclosure.