The awkward space is where you’re expected (e.g. by management) to address a stranger/customer with a gendered term in a professional context before you have an opportunity to ask that question.
e.g. “Excuse me Mx, you appear to have dropped your purse” or “Hi Mx, can I help you pick out a shirt?”
(I get by with “Hey there” if the person I’m addressing can be understood by context, or “mate” in relatively casual settings)
If management is making you sound like a loser then you should throw in a “your majesty” or a “my liege” every once in a while. It’ll make the customers feel nice too.
For real though, pretty sure you should just ask them how they’d like to be addressed.
Generally that’s what I’d do. I just think having a NB equivalent to “sir” would be useful in some contexts.
The awkward space is where you’re expected (e.g. by management) to address a stranger/customer with a gendered term in a professional context before you have an opportunity to ask that question.
e.g. “Excuse me Mx, you appear to have dropped your purse” or “Hi Mx, can I help you pick out a shirt?”
(I get by with “Hey there” if the person I’m addressing can be understood by context, or “mate” in relatively casual settings)
If management is making you sound like a loser then you should throw in a “your majesty” or a “my liege” every once in a while. It’ll make the customers feel nice too.
Good call, your highness