Comments on: Titles.

By: Deanne

Deanne — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:22:50 +0000

Throwing this out there… the lack of title usage is just a symptom of the lack of respect generally. And the lack of respect comes back to the individual. Look at how some of these kids dress – that is a complete lack of self-respect, and it goes downhill from there.

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:43:48 +0000

A decidedly spectacular opinion piece, Beth! Way to not avoid something potentially controversial. I’ve stayed away from controversy at Bradaptation. I won’t even say if I like Pepsi or Coke better. (It’s Pepsi).

By: Deborah G.

Deborah G. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:22:16 +0000

I also agree, Beth. My kids call adults by their title, even when their friends don’t. We’ve always done it that way. My kids have asked if they can call an adult by their first name because all the other kids do. I say no, and they’re fine with it. Mainly because we’ve always done it that way. I also cannot call my parents’ friends by their first name even if they tell me that I can now because I am an adult. They are still my elders so I can’t.

By: parkingathome

parkingathome — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:08:39 +0000

I never even considered a different way then calling my brothers and sister uncle and aunt. It’s the way it is! Freaking parents these days.

By: Gina

Gina — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:20:11 +0000

I don’t mind kids in the family or my kids’ friends calling me by my first name, but if their parents prefer they call me Mrs. B or Miss Gina (or whatever terms they use), I will certainly respect that. And I follow the same for my kids – I make them use whatever name the adult wishes to be called.

But a teacher? They should ALWAYS be called by their title and never their first name. Living in a small town, it;s inevitable that you and your kids are family/friends with a teacher or two. But regardless of what we call them outside of school, IN school, they are always Mr., Mrs, Miss., etc. That goes for us parents, too. When I go to a school function, I will call a teacher Mrs. Smith, even if she is my close friend Susan on Friday night.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:19:31 +0000

Bravo, Beth! My Hawaiian aunts were always called Aunty Gretchen, Aunty Pearl, etc. We wouldn’t DARE to address relation by their first names alone. That would have meant certain, painful, and immediate death.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:12:32 +0000

Good post – One time I almost had a flat out argument with a former co-worker who insisted kids should be allowed to use first names. Even as an adult, there are people that I refer to as Mr. or Mrs.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:07:23 +0000

I totally agree…We don’t have that problem here on the east coast though….not that I’ve seen anyway. I’m so surprised that it’s common practice to do that in the mid-west. I think you need to move out east.

And I still call all my Aunts & Uncles by Aunt & Uncle. I think it’s loving. And all my friends parents I still call by Miss or Mr. And I always addressed my kids teachers by Miss or Mr…even the ones I was closer to. And if I’m talking about Brad to my kids, I refer to him as Mr. Royuk.

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:45:24 +0000

Word. Great post.