titles in Germany
 

I couldn't believe the Lufthansa website when they asked me to choose which title precedes my name and gave a list with so many combinations and permitations that I was amazed. Check it out for yourself by going to "contact us" and then "email" and then select a topic and the list will appear. . Another site said it is imperitive to use the right title or offend others in many ways. So I need advice from a real expert on the German language and protocol. I am a married woman and my husband is a college professor without a doctorate. I myself am a psychologist with a doctorate. What is his title? What is my title?

hi again,

you've posted twice.
for answer see under other thread.

regards, ann

Yes, I posted under Austria too, because some folks read only one of the country sites, and because I suspected the use of titles might vary between the countries. but I'll repeat here my latest puzzlement abou the titles, although I have to admit its more a puzzle in my mind than for actual use on the upcoming trip to both Germany and Austria:
My step-mother from Vienna told me when I was a child, before women's lib, that I should marry a doctor, so that I could be Frau Doctor. Now that I myself am one, isn't the title for my own doctorate the same as if I had merely married one?

Hi again,

i hope that the other thread has sorted out your questions.

It seems to me that it's up to you whether you and "der Herr Professor" decide to use your hard-one titles.

if you opt for Frau Doktor, and he goes with Herr Professor, it's unlikely that anyone will think that you've "borrowed" his doctorate.

have a great trip,

regards, ann

If you actually are a Doktor or Professor, you won't use this title for making reservations. "Herr" or "Frau" are all that is needed. Understatement is a virtue, that opens many doors in Germany and is good for buisiness too! In depth knowledge of your profession is all that is needed.

You use titles only when needed. If you meet some id**t that threates to treat you unfair, the proper title is a knive that cuts.
i.e. "federal judge" helps a lot ;-)

oops, that should have been "hard-won".

the typo could have bee n owrse.

:S-

regards, ann