WOMEN IN AUSTRIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 15

WOMEN IN AUSTRIA.

ALL TO BE CALLED "FRAU." i new government decree. The semblance of age, or at least of matronhood, appears to be at a premium in Austria, quite contrary to the imperative custom in other countries, la such countries -women wish to be called "Miss as long as possible; many married ones, in literature, the theatre or elsewhere, retaining, that appellation with their maiden names. Moreover, it has been the general rule when addressing women whose marital status is not known, "In case of doubt, say—or write—'Miss. It is not known that married women are ever offended at being thus addressed, while some unmarried ones have ously resented being called "Mrs. In Austria the matter has been long disputed, but now is finally settled bv a government decree. Henceforth ail women in government employ, whose name by the way is legion, must be addressed not as "Fraulein," but as rrau. It does not matter if they are known to be unmarried, or indeed scarcely arrived at a marrying age. "Frau it is to be. ( The official style is "Frau adjutant, "Frau chief adjutant," "Frau deputy director," and so forth. What the numerous prettv girls in telephone ana other offices, who are still well down m their teens, will say to thus being styled identically with their grandmothers, remains to be seen.