Do you like titles (eg Mr / Mrs / Miss / Dr / etc)?

[harvyk]

Just on seeing the discussion in the "Ladies , is a solo female FF who frequents First Lounges a rare breed indeed?" thread it got me thinking. Do you like been called by a title?

In my case I'm not a huge fan of them. My name is harvyk (well actually it's not, a few of you know my actual first name). I don't really like been called "Mr K", and whilst if I get called "Mr K" I won't immediately correct someone, if they are going to be speaking to me on at least a semi regular basis I much prefer my first name instead of a title.

In some ways I consider titles to be almost rude, it's an elevation of one person above another, where as first names put everyone on an equal footing. I don't even expect friends kids to call me Mr either, and I remember as a kid quite a few of my friends parents started insisting I called them by their first name.

So what's your thoughts on titles?

 

[drron]

Can be a necessary evil.When flying I always go with drron.If there is a medical emergency it is easier if the crew know there is a medical dr on board.I would also not refuse to help.Though if it were a mid air child birth I would ask the crew to find out if a nurse was available-they would do a better job than I.
Friends and social occasions I am just plain Ron though I was christened Ronald.
At work I do appreciate those that do pay respect even though I don't require it.I really have a soft spot for those 80+ year old women who dress up in their sunday best complete with lipstick often not confined to the lips.I admit I do go the extra yards for them.

 

[blackcat20]

Only in a formal setting, or boarding a plane for example. At work, first names are used. Once I've met my FA, I tell them to call me by my name too. Once I called QF and they asked if they should refer to me as Dr blackcat. I always tell them to use my preferred first name (I hate my actual first name).

 

[bismarck]

I think the first time you meet someone when working in a service industry (airline, restaurant, hotel etc) it is polite to refer to Mr/Mrs/Dr/Sir/Madam but I will typically ask to then be called by my first name.

I think once you've asked to be referred to a particular way, it is appropriate that they remember and do so.

 

[Princess Fiona]

As posted in the solo female FF thread I do travel as "Dr" on my boarding pass. I don't like to be called Miss or Mrs. Professionally I use my first name almost always as in #HelloMyNameIs except if I'm seeing little kids when I use "Dr".
When I travel I'm usually called Dr PF by the cabin crew. I'd actually prefer to be called by my first name but I recognise that may not be the preference of the FA's so I don't mind either way.
I've been asked a few times on long hauls about my occupation and I'm always happy to help out in an emergency, having "Dr" on the manifest would be more helpful than not having it there I imagine.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

If "they" are going to give me a title I would prefer MRS to MS. I have been married 43 years I have earned the MRS !!!!! But my first name is just fine by me also.

 

[Himeno]

That poll is missing some options.

I hate titles and I don't like my "legal" name.

 

[blueflamenco]

I think it is very much situational and (in general!) I don't have a problem with title/lack of title but more so how I am addressed.

I am slightly irritated by Qantas staff (particularly the female FA's) who can manage to place the "Mr" and "Mrs" before surnames of passengers boarding in front of me but appear to have great difficultly using a simple "Ms" or "Miss" to greet me. To me this behaviour says a lot about the speaker, but ultimately reflects poorly on the airline itself.

 

[Denali]

Im a Ms and on one of my last flights they were having trouble saying my surname so I asked them to call me by my first name. I was then called Miss first name and hubby Mr first name (even though we have different surnames). If I was a Dr I would feel differently but Im not special about my name.

 

[dajop]

In Asia a lot of the time, it is not a matter of whether it is being called by Mr + surname or your first name, it is either Mr firstname or Mr surname. So if my name was John Michael Citizen, the conversation would go "Mr Citizen, how would you like us to address you?" "John is fine", "OK Mr. John" .......

And then there is variation three, as often names are written in the Chinese format, (eg Citizen John Michael), and some people might recognise that I am indeed a westerner so would assume my surname is last .. and therefore call me "Mr Michael"....

In other words, it no longer worries what someone calls me, as long as it isn't a swear word

 

[TomVexille]

For me it's definitely situation dependent. I grew up in a country where you called another man either Mr or Sir as a sign of respect until they tell you to use their name. I get that Australia is a very "casual" country, and I like it.

 

[get me outta here]

I'm happy to be called anything really, except Mrs. That's the only time I will gently correct to " Ms is fine" and I mumble the Ms part so that they call me either Ms or Miss. Most people get the pronunciation of my names wrong anyway, and I'm used to that and don't bother trying to correct people, unless I will be spending a lot of time with them. I answer to anything that sounds vaguely like my name otherwise, especially since I have a potato named after me (and it's not Russet Red).

 

[harvyk]

That poll is missing some options.

I hate titles and I don't like my "legal" name.

The last option, just call me John / Jane was a nod for people who simply like to be informal. No one said you needed to actually go by your first name (I know my grandfather certainly doesn't he goes by his middle name, whenever I hear people call him by his first name I wonder who they are talking about)

 

[get me outta here]

And, I appreciate that when I am in America. I think it is respectful and as well as polite, but that's just a quirk of mine. As you say, I don't advocate it here.

For me it's definitely situation dependent. I grew up in a country where you called another man either Mr or Sir as a sign of respect until they tell you to use their name. I get that Australia is a very "casual" country, and I like it.

 

[drron]

I'm happy to be called anything really, except Mrs. That's the only time I will gently correct to " Ms is fine" and I mumble the Ms part so that they call me either Ms or Miss. Most people get the pronunciation of my names wrong anyway, and I'm used to that and don't bother trying to correct people, unless I will be spending a lot of time with them. I answer to anything that sounds vaguely like my name otherwise, especially since I have a potato named after me (and it's not Russet Red).

Desiree?..

 

[dajop]

either Mr or Sir

That reminded me when in Philippines, usually known as Sir Dajop .... (ie. Sir + first name). A bit strange at first, as no I am not a knight of the british empire! But you get used to it.

 

[TomVexille]

That reminded me when in Philippines, usually known as Sir Dajop .... (ie. Sir + first name). A bit strange at first, as no I am not a knight of the british empire! But you get used to it.

I have friends who were expected to call their father Sir...

 

[RooFlyer]

I definitely expect to be called 'Mr [surname]' when its a first time service type encounter and they know my name (eg: Telco/hotel/airline service on phone, across the counter at shop/service desk once IDed, CSM greeting on plane, etc). Thereafter I usually say "Please call me [first name]"

If some youngster presumes to call me [first name] straight off, they get short shrift and little custom from me; on the other hand, any youngster who shows courtesy and respect gets repeat business from me, if practicable.

 

[Pushka]

I don't think it's relevant to be introduced with a title in social settings. No need for Mr/Mrs/Ms/Dr etc. Just first name and last name and if you want to go into details then that happens with later conversations.

Unless I was a Princess.

 

[james4321]

I don't mind what you call me except don't call me late for breakfast