Children call me by my first name versus sir or Mr. XXXX

[Scotty Dive]

I was always taught to call my parents friends and adults by Mr or Mrs or of course Sir/Maam....But, I have children under 13 and MANY adults insist my kids call them by their first name....and I am in the minority. I tell the kids to call adults by their surname until an adult tells them otherwise - so like this : call them as Mr. Bill instead of Mr. Johnson if he tells them to call him Bill.

I ask that my kids friends call me by my surname...I just think we need to have some speration between children and adults. I also do not want some kid who wants to date my daughter to call me by my first name....

Am I off base here? Old Fashioned??? I am in the Northeast (mid forties) and am wondering if this is a more regional thing too??

 

[bananaman]

I'm with you, but I'm 51 years old and may be in the "older generation".
Here in Texas the kids say "Sir & Ma'am" usually. At our church there are a lot of younger college kids that help out with the youth and my son says "Mr." or "Miss" then their first name. It's a sign of respect and acknowledging the authority of that person.

 

[mikehaugen]

My oldest daughter is actually a step-daughter and does not share my name. I spend a lot of time with her softball team (9 and 10 year olds) helping out the coach and every so often they would call me "Mr. [her last name]." I insist that they call me by my first name.

I agree Scotty, I tell my kids the same. Mr or Mrs first, until they tell them otherwise- which is usually the case around here.

 

[DKCDKC]

I vote for Mr. and Mrs. for all kids addressing adults... And Sir and Mam'am. But I am in a Southern state and that seems to be more prevalent here. I am 67 myself, but I still call those significantly older than myself "Sir or Mam'am" until I know them. I also make it a point to add that formality to a man or woman even younger than I if I know there is something about their lives that warrants my respect - in the military, facing tragedy, great accomplishment, and sometimes just a dynamic community volunteer.

In an age when civility is being tossed out the window on television and on the street, I like to show some extra respect to those who deserve it.

 

[HarryN]

I'm with you Mr. DKCDKC. Well said!

 

[Car Doc]

I am with you Scotty me being closer to 60 than 50. I still call people Mr and ma'am I treat people with respect. I was raised with strict manners my step daughter has always called me dad I am the only one she ever had.

On a professional level I call doctors doc at their offices and also in public when they are with friends I use their names when we are talking in private etc.

I dont insist other people treat me any certain way but they get a little (a lot) more courtesy out of me if they initiate the common respect. fwtw

 

[Eyeshade]

How you address a person definitely has an impact, Sir, Your Honor, Mrs., etc. but there is more to respect than just a name. A kids demeanor says a lot too. Do they grab things first, are they patient with older folks, do they interrupt when you are talking. I think the whole decorum is more important than just a name.

 

[LMan1967]

Ive run into this and I simply dont permit it. I ask that I either be called "Mr 'surname'" or, if the child is young, "Mr 'first name'"

 

[cdaigle430]

I also dislike the fact that my nieces and nephews call me by my first name rather than Uncle.

 

[mjarrels]

Never a issue while active duty Navy, just call me Chief.

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