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yes they have, but at the same time, we're all adults. whatever the culture is, is what you go with.
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<p>at the same time, we're all adults</p>
<p>....hmmmm.... </p>
<p>Would this be the same "culture" in which children are so liberated that they dispense with using the archaic terms "mom" and "dad"?</p>
<p>Also, I'd like to add - the notion that we don't have to show respect for professors is very odd to me because I've been under the impression that it's best to address anyone and everyone respectfully. For the previous generation (and still today in a country like, for instance, the UK), this often meant addressing everyone (ie - strangers, associates, acquaintances) by their surname, rather their first name, and regarding the use of the first name as a liberty not to be quickly taken. </p>
<p>For me its a shame that other young people today are so quick to assert their own "equality" with those under whom they live and learn. In my mind, nobody needs to earn the right to be called "professor" (if that's what they are) or have the common decency to be held in some esteem based on age or position. </p>
<p>It's interesting - last year, in a small university class, a young man disagreed with something the professor was saying, and very abruptly stood up in her face and pointing at the board confronted her in a very arrogant manner. The professor, promptly and rather sharply told him to sit down and to not address her in that way again. I remember looking at the other student and being very surprised (and almost enlightened) to see that he had no realisation that he was out of line or that she would have a reaction (or perhaps that she wouldn't even waste her time engaging him in some sort of argument)...</p>
<p>I wonder why young adults who have such an exalted opinion of their own place would even feel the need to bother going to school...</p>
<p>Just my thoughts . <-- (grain of salt)</p>
<p>I usually refer to my professors by their last name or say nothing at all.</p>
<p>They don't mind it. That's the most neutral response.
Professors are VERY INFORMAL in emails.</p>
<p>I'm at a TOP 20 school.</p>
<p>Like I said, I treat those in a position of superiority with respect and call them by their formal title. I know (or should know by now) when to tell the instructor to snuff it or suck it up and go on. I'll be the first to call a professor out, respectfully, and be the first one to walk out, as I've done in many of my high school classes (if I wasn't thrown out first).</p>
<p>why do people get ****ed if they have a Dr. in front of their name and people call them Mr.?</p>
<p>if your professor asks to be called professor smith, then you should call them professor smith. if your professor asks to be called Tom, then you should call him tom. it all depends on the culture of the classroom. i have a lot of teachers that ask to be called names such as tracey, joel, brenda, bill, etc. and i've had some ask to be called professor smith. many of my classes this past year or so have been small (10-15 people) and are nice and relaxed, mostly a first name basis. that's just the culture of the classroom. I would assume that in a class with 300 people where you don't know the professor on a personal level at all, that you would call them professor smith. all professors deserve respect, and should be given it. but not all of them want to be called professor smith.</p>
<p>furthermore, if parents asked to be called "mom and dad" or "bill and shirley" then you should call them what they ask to be called. I know a people that call their parents by their first names, because that is how they were raised. I personally refer to my parents as "mom and dad", grandparents as "nana and pappy", and i call my aunts and uncles by their first name - no uncle joe, or aunt deb. just joe and deb. it just depends on how your family has been raised..</p>
<p>also, i have always been told (by my bosses) to call them by their first names. shawn, ed, randy, etc. but if one of them asked to be called mr. smith, then i'd call him mr smith.</p>
<p>just my two cents on the matter. it's not a matter of disrespect by calling someone on a first name basis, it's just how some places/people are.</p>
<p>if someone respects me i respect them back... if someone doesn't respect me it's only natural that i don't repsect them too.</p>
<p>doesn't matter who you are, your age, position, etc...</p>
<p>usually professors will tell you on the first day of class how they would like to be addressed, especially if they have multiple degrees/titles that can be used.</p>
<p>I respect them all way way more than my high school teachers. Some of the teachers in high school were just plain terrible.</p>
<p>um treat a professor like a person??? why do you need to ask how to treat people? maybe you should go back to 1st grade where they teach you respect.</p>
<p>As if we don't treat our former teachers and friends like people? Looks like you need to re-think your speech, blonditr. Or (gasp!) practice what you preach.</p>
<p>Professors really don't care that much. They're not going to start berating you if you call them something other than they prefer. Just address them Professor XYZ and you won't have to worry about anything.</p>