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

[Pixguy]

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

This subject is a pet peeve of mine and I've had a niece who tried it but I quickly insisted them to add the uncle. Shows me lack of good parenting.

I was in a school once with my name tag on, Bill XXXXX and a student called me Billy in front of his friends and I quickly told him to be more respectful. The teacher overheard the convo and reported him to the principal. Do you know what the principal told me?

She suggested I take my first name off the tag. WTH?? No, teach the kid respect. Needless to say I will not take off my first name as the adults should know it.

Sad.

 

[Tig]

First contact with a new customer or supplier, I will address them as Mr unless they indicate that they prefer different.
Teaching children to show respect is important now and later in life.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Does requiring the use of certain monikers actually impart respect? Or, does it signal an ego problem that the younger folks might exploit?

The exception to that is the Navy Chief. You use the moniker "Chief" as a survival technique.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Yes, Mr. Last name for most of kid's friends. I indicate myself if I want to be called differently - typically when the kid gets older and I feel there is some equality there.

In my country we use plurals and singulars, older person or superior - always plural. Singular is for friends or talk down to, makes life easier too.

 

[Bird]

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

Yep, we were raised that way, and even though we have nieces and nephews in their 50s, both mine and my wife's still use the "Aunt" and "Uncle" when they speak to us. And at my age, I only have one living relative who is older than I, and it's still "Aunt (first name)" to me, too.

However, a lot of small children call me by my first name and it really just doesn't bother me.

 

[Willl]

They can call me what ever they're comfortable with, with-in reason.

I also try not to make 'big things' out of 'little things', better for the blood pressure.

 

[Pete Judd]

It bothers me when the kids call me sir, yes I am old enough, but don't want to be reminded of it all the time.

 

[sodamo]

I'm in my 60's, grew up in Maine and it was rare to hear another kid not use Mr/Mrs/sir/ma'am and not be corrected.
Here in Hawaii it is common respect to address those more senior as Auntie or Uncle.
Real respect is demonstrated more by attitude, but how one is addressed can be a good initial indicator.

David Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[mikehaugen]

Real respect is demonstrated more by attitude

I agree with this, especially with younger children. If they call you sir/ ma'am/ mr. x/ mrs. x that doesn't mean they respect you, just that they were told to do so. Same as if they don't, it doesn't mean they don't respect you just that they weren't instructed to do so. This reflects more on the parents then on the child's level of respect for people.

 

[jinman]

Before I retired, I used to go to all my grandchildren's basketball/volleyball/football games. My grandkids all call me "JayPa" instead of Grandpa because that was the name I chose. After going to a few games, all the kids team members called me JayPa too. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy to hear the kid's friends tell them, "JayPa is here. Wave to him."