I tend to refer to Hillary Rodham Clinton as "Hillary," not because I am a male chauvinist pig, nor because I lack respect for her achievements, but for reasons of economical communication. In the context of a political discussion, I can mention "Hillary," without having to add "Rodham" and/or "Clinton," and people will quite probably grasp -a) than I am speaking of Hillary Rodham Clinton, and -b) the political context of the discussion will be a good indication that I am not talking about Hilary (note: only one "l") Hahn, the young classical violin virtuoso (virtuosa?).

I live in an area of the U. S. where a measure of informality seems to be in order, and with certain exceptions (e.g., a patient addressing a doctor, a student addressing a teacher or professor, or a young person addressing someone quite a bit older), and especially in social situations, people are very quick to begin using someone else's first name even upon first meeting. It seems quite friendly and I've never heard anyone object.

Were I to meet Hillary Rodham Clinton, I would undoubtedly address her as "Mrs. Clinton," unless and until she suggested otherwise.

Donald Richard Firth

(But you may call me "Don." Or "Don Firth," to distinguish me from, say, Donald Trump, Donald Duck, or Don Quixote)