Codswallop

Addressing people by title or name is very much dependant on the relationship between the parties and the individuals.I personally would not call anyone Sir if i don’t respect them,just because they have the title it doesn’t make them better than me.
If it comes down to discipline as in a classroom between pupils and teachers then yes,Sir ,Madam should be used.

Re 12

Well then you should. I hope that I don’t misjudge you when I know that both you and the ‘higher education’ person will customarily doff their hat or cap when addressing a lady. I just know that both of you are possessed of good manners and politeness.

Re 11

I didn’t give you permission to refer to my wife. Desist.

Some of my friends and acquaintances use my first name. Anyone with ‘higher education’ should call me Sir, spelt with an ‘S’.

You had ‘higher education’ ? Blimey ! You found it ‘difficult progressing’ ? Mmm.

Not just higher, but further, and even far higher. And as you are well aware, just with the concept of conversing with the person who taught us, who had gone from being formal and respectful to being just one of the guys, you know?

Probably not but we are discussing teachers and children not workers and their colleagues, whether senior or not.

It is also age related I am sure. In the late 50s the use of first names between those on different rungs of the ladder was rare – close colleagues used last names commonly, without Mr of course. And at school Sir and Miss, sometimes Ma’am was the norm and children were addressed by their last names.

I insist on cap doffing Derek; where would the world be if the minions did not doff!?!

In the business world, first names have been used as long as I’ve worked in industry (28 years). I’m pretty certain that it hasn’t reduced respect for people in senior positions just by calling them by their first name. I don’t think we doff our caps any more either.

Re 8

I thought that even you would know that professional respect is maintained by keeping a polite verbal distance. The use of second names or a title enhances the effect. Anyone offering or providing a service isn’t your friend so, don’t maintain the fiction by calling them by their first name.

Once upon a time in a land far far away…

Whilst i find the idea that Sir and Miss is inequality laughable i find the 18th century view on professional respect expressed here to be equally laughable.

My guys do not call me sir or Mr. the most formal would be boss or chief, they are fully aware of who is in charge and respect the relative positions with absolute professionalism.

Do you allow your wife to use your first name when she requests permission to speak or must she first formally submit the request in writing with two weeks notice?

Re 6

You had ‘higher education’ ? Blimey ! You found it ‘difficult progressing’ ? Mmm.

Re 8

I thought that even you would know that professional respect is maintained by keeping a polite verbal distance. The use of second names or a title enhances the effect. Anyone offering or providing a service isn’t your friend so, don’t maintain the fiction by calling them by their first name.

What’s wrong with first names? Resepct has to be earned and has nothing to do with what we call people.

The thing that amused me most was that the Professor teaches at – wait for it – the University of Roehampton! Bet that institution is writ large in the world of academia.

BUT what other option is there?

I initially found it difficult progressing in my higher education, conversing with the lecturers using their first names. Granted, it was just a mindset that soon passed but there was (later) the ingrained respect given to your elders when you started work and had to speak to ‘Mr Jones’ or, when they permitted it, ‘Mr Bob’.

I always was under the impression that ‘Miss’ was a diminutive for ‘Mistress’ when used for a female teacher !

This academic has a percieved equality battle going on in her head, reading the report it comes across as more a concern that she is somehow ranked lower than her male colleagues, not a concern for pupils, basically has shown herself as unfit to teach.

Academics ? That’s a laugh !

I saw this report elsewhere earlier and took it as a joke!! In fact it is not possible to take it seriously…what a waste of peoples’ time!