The alternative term for "sir" or "madam" is "ma'am."
The alternative to addressing someone as "dear sir or madam" is to use a gender-neutral greeting like "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Title".
The alternative way to address a formal letter when the recipient's gender is unknown is to use "To whom it may concern" instead of "Dear sir/madam."
When addressing a formal letter to an unknown recipient, it is appropriate to use the gender-neutral term "Dear Sir or Madam."
When addressing a formal letter to an unknown recipient, it is appropriate to use the gender-neutral term "Dear Sir/Madam."
The alternative to addressing a formal letter to "Dear Sirs" is to use "Dear Madam or Sir" or "To Whom It May Concern."
The masculine equivalent of "madam" is "sir."
An alternative way to address someone if you do not know their gender is to use "To Whom It May Concern."
The term "Sir" can be used generically when addressing any male person in a polite manner. Similarly "Madam" can be used to address a female person. However, with women the term "Miss" can also be used for an unmarried younger female. It is sometimes difficult (as compared to "Sir") to know which address to use. Sometimes "Miss" is flattering. If in doubt "Madam" will do. If you happen to be in the Armed Forces, obviously the title Sir and Madam (sometimes shortened to "Ma'am") must be used when addressing a senior commissioned officer and this will be taught to you during training. The other use is when a person is knighted - at which point they become "Sir -...." . However for a female the equivalent here is "Dame -....".
A situation where a gender-neutral term like "sir madam" would be appropriate is when addressing a group of people in a formal setting, such as a business meeting or a public event, where the gender of the individuals is unknown or irrelevant.
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Sir = Herr, unless it is considered a given title, then it stays Sir, prior the the name of the person even in Swedish. Madam = Fru
An OBE would be addressed as Sir of Madam. Having the title OBE is another way to term being "knighted."