Re: "Madam"/"Madame" Chair/man/person (was: Umlauts)

Quoting John Cowan <jcowan@...>:

> Christophe Grandsire scripsit:
>
> > I've never heard "Madame" used in English in any other context than
> > brothels, so I find it hard to believe that it could be used in other
> > contexts. I think I would have heard it :)) .
>
> Well, first there is its application to women who actually are French, but
> we'll exclude that.  Then there is Madame Chiang Kai-shek (who just died,
> aged 105)
When I saw a newspaper notice about that, I actually wondered why she always
was Madame Chiang Kai-shek, never Mrs Chiang Kai-shek. Is there a reason?

                                                             Andreas