Gender bender

I was baffled by your article and leader column (15 March), which suggested that we should commence correspondence "Madam or Sir", for example, rather than the "sexist" alternative.

In what way are the expressions "Mrs and Mr" or "Hers and His" any less sexist than those they replace? Are women now "worthier" than men? Gender discrimination cuts both ways and while letter addresses may seem trivial, it's further evidence of the need to be aware of our language use without apologising for it. Or perhaps we should be sending two letters, one to "Sir" and one to "Madam", just to be sure.

THOMAS OGILVIE

Minto

Roxburghshire