Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site hou5e.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!hou5f!hou5e!mat From: mat@hou5e.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: Mr., Ms., Miss, and Mrs. - (nf) Message-ID: <593@hou5e.UUCP> Date: Sun, 26-Jun-83 00:30:05 EDT Article-I.D.: hou5e.593 Posted: Sun Jun 26 00:30:05 1983 Date-Received: Sun, 26-Jun-83 07:34:40 EDT References: <244@iheds.UUCP> Organization: American Bell ED&D, Holmdel, NJ Lines: 41 Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site hou5e.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/26/83; site iheds.UUCP Path: hou5e!hou5f!orion!houca!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!iheds!kmw From: kmw@iheds.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: Mr., Ms., Miss, and Mrs. - (nf) Message-ID: <244@iheds.UUCP> Date: Fri, 24-Jun-83 10:10:58 EDT Article-I.D.: iheds.244 Posted: Fri Jun 24 10:10:58 1983 Date-Received: Sat, 25-Jun-83 03:13:13 EDT References: <302@5941ux.UUCP> Organization: BTL Naperville, Il. Lines: 10 Oh come now. Calling people by their first name has nothing to do with encouraging rudeness or inconsiderate behavior. Unless, of course, you define children calling adults by their first name as impolite, in which case you have a tautology, but are missing the point. Well, I disagree, at least to a point. Using a title when addressing a person is an indication (sometimes) or respect. Calling an adult, espeially a relative or close friend of the family ``Uncle Bob'' or ``Mr. Turner'' instead of ``Bob'' or ``Bill'' is a sigh of respect. The short amount of effort that is expended in that extra word DOES indicate, and maybe even train, respect. Of course, as with everything else, the people involved are more important than the rules. If Uncle Bob doesn't want to be called Uncle; if Grandma Porter LIKES her granddaughter to call her Alice, if Bill Turner wants to be called Will or Mr. T, then I think that they should be extended the privilege -- especially where a young child is involved. That is in itself a form of respect. But, please, the slightly more defferential form to begin with. Social precosiousness[1] is not always a good thing. Mark Terribile [1] This word feels awkward to the fingers, the lips, and the mind. Is there a better expression? -mat