NOW president: Obama's Warren critique sexist

[Gingersnap]

So after saying nothing during "bros before hoes" in 2008 NOW decides that a first name is sexist? Even when the person is a former Presidential appointee?


Total bullshit.


That said, I've often gotten more respect by people who call me by my first name either by direction from me or from the start. "Mr." in front of my name usually conveys a tone of "professionalism" which usually means that it's some lackey's idea of protocol instead of being actually professional.

With out question I get the best service from people who ask, "Can I call you Scott?"

Not me. Can I call you Ginger? Generally results a fake-friend concept unless I actually have some kind real life relationship over time with the person.

Adults call kids by their first names in an effort to build rapport for good or evil. Using an honorific builds in a little mistrust and a bit of distance - exactly what I want from strangers or authority figures. If our 5 minute encounter is successful, maybe I will give you my given name. If it's not successful, I don't want you thinking we have a fake relationship that I have to consider.

[scott]

Not me. Can I call you Ginger? Generally results a fake-friend concept unless I actually have some kind real life relationship over time with the person.

Adults call kids by their first names in an effort to build rapport for good or evil. Using an honorific builds in a little mistrust and a bit of distance - exactly what I want from strangers or authority figures. If our 5 minute encounter is successful, maybe I will give you my given name. If it's not successful, I don't want you thinking we have a fake relationship that I have to consider.

Different experiences it seems. Most people that call me "Mr." are trying to rip me off.

[Adam]

Different experiences it seems. Most people that call me "Mr." are trying to rip me off.

Most people who call me "Mr." are just Indian.

Perils of being in this business, I guess: pretty much every male in this business who is not gay is Indian (dots, not feathers). I am "Mr. Adams" (strangely plural seems a universality) to more suppliers than I can count.

I make nothing of it other than that these folks are being friendly (and I'm personally friendly with a vast majority of my suppliers). But this is a "first-name business." My clients, be they executives or some Joe Blow off the street, refer to me by first name and vice-versa. I have a client who is the CEO of a major multi-national corporation and can spend literally any amount of money he chooses on travel (largely because if you drive a car, any car, you're almost certain to have his product in your car), and we're totally on a first-name basis, and even on an "extended familial" first name basis: I refer to his daughter and son on a first-name basis, and he refers to my brothers on a first-name basis, and none of us have ever met one-another face-to-face.

[Celeste Chalfonte]

So after saying nothing during "bros before hoes" in 2008 NOW decides that a first name is sexist? Even when the person is a former Presidential appointee?


Total bullshit.


That said, I've often gotten more respect by people who call me by my first name either by direction from me or from the start. "Mr." in front of my name usually conveys a tone of "professionalism" which usually means that it's some lackey's idea of protocol instead of being actually professional.

With out question I get the best service from people who ask, "Can I call you Scott?"

No doubt. And I'm totally into using first names in an ongoing relationship. Equally. When I lived in SF, my primary care doc and I always called each other by first names. She was Lisa and I was Celeste. My dentist was Rose. But if a physician asks "May I call you Celeste?" my answer is going to be, "Sure, and I'll call you Gina." It's the ones who don't ask, or who think they should be "Dr. Highnmighty" while calling me "Celeste," or the go-fers I'm never going to see again who first-name everybody without permission and to the detriment of getting the right person to the right place; THEM I want using "Ms. Chalfonte."

[scott]

No doubt. And I'm totally into using first names in an ongoing relationship. Equally. When I lived in SF, my primary care doc and I always called each other by first names. She was Lisa and I was Celeste. My dentist was Rose. But if a physician asks "May I call you Celeste?" my answer is going to be, "Sure, and I'll call you Gina." It's the ones who don't ask, or who think they should be "Dr. Highnmighty" while calling me "Celeste," or the go-fers I'm never going to see again who first-name everybody without permission and to the detriment of getting the right person to the right place; THEM I want using "Ms. Chalfonte."

Oh you got that right. If my Physician is going to insist that I call him/her "Dr." I'm going to insist that s/he get out of my way as I was walk out the door. I've had the CDC's foremost expert on meningococcal septicaemia say, "I'm Bob." I've also had the only (at the time) specialist in Henoch-Schonlein purpura within 1000 miles day, "call me Judy." There's no way I'm going to submit to some authority. I'll always give respect and in the case of the random USF Physician that breezed in and out of my mom's room I'd properly address them as Dr. so-and-so. But when a connection had been established, we were either on a first name basis or there was no further relationship.

In an unfortunate encounter concerning a nephew I had to consult with a few criminal defense attorneys. One of them was a little too full of himself and said that he wanted to "keep things professional" when I called him Jeff. I was quite professional when I said that I want to make sure I'm on a first name basis with anyone who works for me. He was aghast and didn't appreciate my tone, he said he worked for "The Law" not his clients. I didn't bother to waste his time further, and said so when he called and asked why I didn't find his argument compelling enough to pay his retainer. "I went with Kirk."

[RobJohnson]

I really don't think much about first or last names. There are a few formal settings with exceptions.

I've worked in places that Mr/Mrs/Ms was used to address those in authority, and that includes employees calling me Mr. Johnson. It's my understanding those organizations are getting away from that practice.

In my current occupation you need to be a very good customer or friend to learn my last name.

[Whoever]

They need to concentrate on their similarities, he isn't really black and she isn't really an Indian.