dear sirs+gentlemen+dear madams+?

[chrysanthemum]

In a book I read instead of using dear sirs in letter writing in American usage gentlemen is used. I want to know whether for dear madams there is another word or not.

 

[trippo]

I'm not english and i'm not a teacher, but i'm guessing ladies?

ladies and gentlemen
sir and madam

 

[englishhobby]

Really, how should one address a women's audience? Ladies? Dear Ladies?

 

[BobK]

Certinly not 'Dear madams' - which implies that you think they run a brothel! ;-)

'Ladies' works for me, although some women think that's a loaded term.