Mr. and Mrs.

[david-us.livejournal.com]

OK, don't laugh at this because it comes from a very old textbook.

I would like some of you Russians to comment on this and tell me if this explanation is still valid in today's Russia. If not, could you elaborate on this in the context of modern Russian?

* * * from the text (copyright 1963) * * *

Use of господин (Mr.) and госпожа (Mrs. or Miss)

The words господин and госпожа are now obsolete in the Soviet Union, though still used by Soviet citizens in addressing foreigners or by Russians living abroad. The usual term of address in the Soviet Union is new either гражаднин (гражданка) citizen (citizeness), or товарищ (comrade)

* * * end of text * * *

I don't think I've ever used the word "citizeness", even when referring to a woman. In English, I would still refer to a woman as a "citizen."