But not if you are a married woman that chose not to adopt your husband’s name. Today, once again, I was told that this is unacceptable. I had some problems in the UK but in France is a whole new can of worms.

Here in Paris we don’t have a door number in the apartment. Instead everyone has a mailbox with their family name downstairs, in the hallway of the building. I came home to find two old ladies changing the name tags on the mailbox like we requested about four months ago (the french take their time…).
My husband’s name was already on the mailbox and I asked about mine. She told me, angrily, that if I didn’t have his name I should have the letters addressed to me say “To the house of Mr. Menezes”.

I can’t even begin to explain to you how much this hurts and affronts me. Right now I just feel defeated.

—
Liberdade, igualdade, fraternidade

Mas não se fores uma mulher casada e tiveres escolhido não tomar o nome do teu marido. Hoje, mais uma vez, foi-me dito que isso é inaceitável. Tive alguns problemas no UK relativos a este assunto mas nada que se compare com o que se passa em França.

Não consigo exprimir o quanto isto me ofende e magoa. Neste momento sinto-me destroçada.