Re: CHAT: "Mister" (WAS: Re: New Lang: Igassik)

> From: John Cowan
>
> Roger Mills wrote:
>
> > Rant dept:  Sometimes we carry this firstname stuff too far.  I
> resent being
> > addressed as Roger by bank tellers, telemarketers and others of that ilk
> > with whom I have no other social interaction.
>
> And I (age 41) feel rather uncomfortable being addressed as "Mr. Cowan" by
> anybody.  Firstnaming is universal in my profession, to be sure.
First names have pretty much become the norm among adults in the US.  I
suppose many of us have experienced the moment when those younger than we
first address us as "Mister".  It's a coming-of-middle-age ritual.  My pat
response has always been that Mr. Bell was my father, I'm David.  This still
seems to work even at 57.  The other defining middle-age moment is when you
notice that policemen all seem to look younger than you. ;-)

David