Quote Originally Posted by Burney View Post
I would address them by the name by which they were introduced and I would endeavour to avoid causing unnecessary offence by not referring to their sex within their earshot. However, I will not lie or connive in a lie by calling a man 'she' or acquiescing in the absurd pretence that what I have in front of me is an actual woman/man when it is plainly not.
Really? I don't have any objection at all to calling them what they are plainly not, if that's what they want.

Just as if someone with an objectively terrible voice told you they have ambitions of being a singer, I'm sure you'd nod, smile and wish them the best of luck (which would be tantamount to lying).