Abbreviations in the UK

I came across this statement:
In UK, if an abbreviation is formed from the first and last letter(s) of a word, don't use a dot. Write Ms Mr Mrs
Doctor = Dr ft = foot
but February = Feb.

Is this true?

I never put a 'dot' (full stop) after an abbreviation.

Yeah, I very rarely saw a period after an abbreviation, even in the most formal of business writing.

One thing I didn't get was how some people put periods after typing their name in an email.  Why?

I don't know for sure, but this may have changed over the years.

When I was a child in the UK, this is the 1960's and '70's, we were taught in school to put a period ("full stop" in the UK) after Dr Mrs, Mr etc. But I've noticed in recent years both in the US and UK that nobody does this anymore. I could swear putting the dot after these title abbreviations used to be the proper way though, decades ago if I'm not mistaken.

I am a grammar nerd and have always been taught in the US to use a period after any title abbreviations as well as ft. and Feb. as in the example in my OP, and I know it is still supposed to be this way in the US, but it's yet another one of those rules that are being over-looked due to laziness.  Children have no idea what proper grammar is anymore, but don't get me started on that...

I was just reading a few online UK newspaper and noticed the lack of periods/full stops, which made me wonder if it was a similar laziness issue or an actual difference in grammar rules.

It seems to be completely accepted in the UK to not put periods after abbreviations.  I had to force myself to stop doing it when I started working, and now I have a hard time remembering to put them back!

I've not seen periods omitted at all in the US now that I've been back (other than by mistake).

When I did a (admittedly pretty feeble) GCSE in 'Business Studies Communication' (ie how to type and stuff) we were told to use 'open punctuation, ie not using any periods.  So that's what I do. But I can't think of a formal letter or report where I'd use 'Feb' as an abbreviation anyway. 

Vicky

I am a grammar nerd and have always been taught in the US to use a period after any title abbreviations as well as ft. and Feb. as in the example in my OP, and I know it is still supposed to be this way in the US, but it's yet another one of those rules that are being over-looked due to laziness.  Children have no idea what proper grammar is anymore, but don't get me started on that...

I was just reading a few online UK newspaper and noticed the lack of periods/full stops, which made me wonder if it was a similar laziness issue or an actual difference in grammar rules.

I was taught the same thing!  There's a great blog that discusses UK/US English and Grammar - http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/

I always use periods with ft., in., Dr., Mr., etc.    That's the traditional punctuation style, although British English of recent years seems to favor the horrendous "open punctuation" method which omits not only the periods after such contractions but also completely eliminates all punctuation in the salutation and close of letters, in address blocks, and similar locations.   

So, is either acceptable?    Would someone see that you have used punctuation and think that you are somehow uneducated? (or wrongly educated?)   
I guess I am thinking about when applying for jobs currently.  I would put a period/full stop after abbreviations in addresses such as St. (Street) and Mr., Mrs., etc.  and would say Dear SoandSo, (with the comma)  and I dont want it to appear I am hanging on to the American way of doing things if it is strictly the British way to omit such punctuations.

So, is either acceptable?    Would someone see that you have used punctuation and think that you are somehow uneducated? (or wrongly educated?)   
I guess I am thinking about when applying for jobs currently.  I would put a period/full stop after abbreviations in addresses such as St. (Street) and Mr., Mrs., etc.  and would say Dear SoandSo, (with the comma)  and I dont want it to appear I am hanging on to the American way of doing things if it is strictly the British way to omit such punctuations.

It could equally appear to be hanging onto the older UK way. 

I really have seen the open punctuation in both the US and the UK in recent years. In fact, I first noticed it while still living in the US, then came here and thought the UK were following the American lead. I get the feeling it has organically arisen in both over time, although I wouldn't base your job application punctuation on my observation. I am not sure myself which is currently thought to be "correct" in either country, now....

Where is Chary!?  She would know this stuff, I think!! 

I just called DH and he said he sometimes uses full stops and sometimes doesnt... he gave the example of i.e. and e.g. - he said he would use it there, but would not use it in Mr or Ms   Gee thanks, honey    I am now on a mission to clarify this!

Would someone see that you have used punctuation and think that you are somehow uneducated? (or wrongly educated?)   

I would certainly hope not.  Anyone who would think so is demonstrating his own lack of education on the matter in my opinion.

I am a grammar nerd and have always been taught in the US to use a period after any title abbreviations as well as ft. and Feb. as in the example in my OP, and I know it is still supposed to be this way in the US, but it's yet another one of those rules that are being over-looked due to laziness.  Children have no idea what proper grammar is anymore, but don't get me started on that...

I was just reading a few online UK newspaper and noticed the lack of periods/full stops, which made me wonder if it was a similar laziness issue or an actual difference in grammar rules.

Laziness issue?   There speaks a prescriptivist. The English language is constantly evolving & is not set in stone. When I was a kid in the 50s I was taught to put full stops after each letter of an initialisation such as U.S.A. B.B.C. or I.R.A. Nowadays that is more or less abandoned in the UK but I understand it is still common in the USA. Likewise with the Mr Mrs Dr thing. As with many such differences, the American rule follows an older British standard.

Best to get your plurals right if you're going to lay down the law...  

I was just reading a few online UK newspaper

I have to agree with contrex here.  I'm a grammar fiend myself, but this issue really doesn't get me worked up.  I can't see that the full stops serve any crucial purpose, and meaning is conveyed equally well with or without them.  That said, I was always taught to put them after Dr. Mr. and Mrs. as well as U.S.A.  and G.O.P. for example.  But you almost never see that anymore.  I have largely stopped using them, except at the ends of sentences.