「様」vs「殿」, which is more respectful?


[Ammy](http://amaterasu.is.moelicious.be/guide/Alphabets.php#honorifics)
claims that 殿 is more respectful than 様:

> 様 -sama: a respectful honorific used for those of a higher social standing
>
> 殿 -dono: even more respectful than -sama, less likely to be used solely out
> of obligation

However,
[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics#Dono.2Ftono)
claims otherwise:

> 殿 when attached to a name, roughly means "lord" or "master". . .
>
> . . . and lies **in between san and sama** in level of respect.

Who is right?

Does「様」command more respect than「殿」, or is it the other way round?




様 is more respectful than 殿. The reason Ammy gets it wrong is because 殿 _used
to be_ more respectful in the past, but it has changed overtime and 様 has
become more respectful. Nowadays, 殿 is used as a fixed expression in some
circles. Many companies use it in their e-mails when referring to a coworker,
but I would use 様 instead if I were referring to someone in a different
company. However, it may still be tradition at some companies to use 殿 all the
time, but always use 様 instead if you are not sure.




様 is more respectful than 殿. The reason Ammy gets it wrong is because 殿 _used
to be_ more respectful in the past, but it has changed overtime and 様 has
become more respectful. Nowadays, 殿 is used as a fixed expression in some
circles. Many companies use it in their e-mails when referring to a coworker,
but I would use 様 instead if I were referring to someone in a different
company. However, it may still be tradition at some companies to use 殿 all the
time, but always use 様 instead if you are not sure.

