First Names

[Salty]

When is acceptable for a young person to call an adult by their first name.




For the purpose of this discussion, we will consider age 21 as an adult.

 

[annsni]

When they are told to do so. For our children, everyone was Mr. or Mrs. or Miss unless they were told otherwise. For some of our close friends, they call them Aunt and Uncle so and so. For other friends (mainly at church), we use Mr. or Miss and the first name so I'm Miss Ann to some of my kid's friends. It's only if they are told they can use the first name that they are allowed to do it so. I STILL use Mr./Mrs./Miss unless I'm introduced by the first name instead and allow them to tell me to use their first name and I'm 45!!

 

[Salty]

and I'm 45!!

Oh, you are still a kid

Mr. Salty

 

[preachinjesus]

I still call many of the adults which I grew up around by Mr So-and-So or Mrs So-and-So.

In the workplace I suppose when one is a peer it is okay to call someone by their first name. Usually I would pick 18, but with the push back of adolescence into college we should assume that legality=maturity. It depends on my relationship with the individual I suppose.

I never felt permission to call my elder by their first name until they gave me permission to do so. Yes, I am weird...on so many levels.

 

[jaigner]

I call peers by their first names. Adults I have known since childhood are still Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc.

 

[SBCPreacher]

When they are told to do so. For our children, everyone was Mr. or Mrs. or Miss unless they were told otherwise. For some of our close friends, they call them Aunt and Uncle so and so. For other friends (mainly at church), we use Mr. or Miss and the first name so I'm Miss Ann to some of my kid's friends. It's only if they are told they can use the first name that they are allowed to do it so. I STILL use Mr./Mrs./Miss unless I'm introduced by the first name instead and allow them to tell me to use their first name and I'm 45!!

What Miss. Ann said!

 

[AntennaFarmer]

A child should be able to call an adult by the first name when the child is no longer a child.

I voted "other" my answer is 21.

An exception is the common Southern (maybe elsewhere too-see above) custom of adding Mr., Miss, or Mrs. ("Miz") before the first name for friends of the family and such. That is considered respectful. Likewise "Aunt Betty" or "Uncle Joe" is generally fine.

Once the pattern is established it is customary to continue it for life. In other words Mr. Joseph is still "Mr. Joseph" even if I am 50 and he is 60. On the other hand, at our age, there is no offence if I do call him "Joseph" from time to time.

It is best (in my opinion) not to tell children to call you (an adult) by the first name.

Northern and other foreign folk seem to go by different rules. I try not to judge. :smilewinkgrin:

A.F.

 

[Zenas]

When you become a peer of others who are older, then you can call them by their first name. For example, people in the same profession usually address each other by their first name regardless of age.

 

[FR7 Baptist]

When you become a peer of others who are older, then you can call them by their first name. For example, people in the same profession usually address each other by their first name regardless of age.

At my job, we all call each other by the first name, including our Crew Leader.

 

[Mexdeaf]

When they are told to do so. For our children, everyone was Mr. or Mrs. or Miss unless they were told otherwise. For some of our close friends, they call them Aunt and Uncle so and so. For other friends (mainly at church), we use Mr. or Miss and the first name so I'm Miss Ann to some of my kid's friends. It's only if they are told they can use the first name that they are allowed to do it so. I STILL use Mr./Mrs./Miss unless I'm introduced by the first name instead and allow them to tell me to use their first name and I'm 45!!

I'm the same.

 

[go2church]

My son calls everyone Sir or Ma'am until they give him permission otherwise.

 

[Jon-Marc]

None of the answers work for me. I allow anyone of any age to call me by my first name except for my daughters and grandkids, and I expect my nieces and nephews to add Uncle to my first name or just call me Uncle as some do.

 

[Salty]

Until you are old enough to get a drivers license, I will not recognize a child who calls me by my first name only. It must be Mr., Uncle, Rev, Sergeant, or some other acceptable title.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

If a young person is old enough to vote, die for his\her country, get married without parental or a court's consent then they are old enough to call me by my first name. Mind you this is a cultural matter. This position is applies only when I'm dealing with a conversation in English.

 

[SaggyWoman]

It is a respect thing, not an age thing.

 

[SBCJen]

I'm 34 and I can NOT stand for a child or person of any age for that matter to call me miss, Mrs., ma'am, etc. My name is Jennifer or Jen, (or Jenny or hey you or...) that's what you may call me. As for my own kids, I'll have them call other adults by whatever that adult prefers. But, personally, I think it's a bit selfish for any adult to feel as if they "deserve" some special title or respect. The only being who "deserves" it is God. You and I deserve nothing.

 

[Salty]

I'm 34 and I can NOT stand for a child or person of any age for that matter to call me miss, Mrs., ma'am, etc. My name is Jennifer or Jen, (or Jenny or hey you or...) that's what you may call me. As for my own kids, I'll have them call other adults by whatever that adult prefers. But, personally, I think it's a bit selfish for any adult to feel as if they "deserve" some special title or respect. The only being who "deserves" it is God. You and I deserve nothing.

So what would you do if my kids were to address you as Mrs "Jones"?

 

[Crucified in Christ]

When is acceptable for a young person to call an adult by their first name.




For the purpose of this discussion, we will consider age 21 as an adult.

Even as a pastor, I often refer to older respected members as Mr. or Mrs.; they will usually correct me, but I still have difficulty. I guess that I am old school. I have tried to start simply calling them brother or sister, but I still find myself respectfully calling them Mr. and Mrs..

 

[Salty]

Even as a pastor, I often refer to older respected members as Mr. or Mrs.; they will usually correct me, but I still have difficulty. I guess that I am old school. I have tried to start simply calling them brother or sister, but I still find myself respectfully calling them Mr. and Mrs..

and I do the same thing, Its simply a matter of respect

 

[JohnDeereFan]

When is acceptable for a young person to call an adult by their first name.




For the purpose of this discussion, we will consider age 21 as an adult.

First of all, let me say that I'm rather proud of the fact that my children know not to call adults by their first name and even know to say "yes/no sir" and "yes/no ma'am" and that I'm always amazed at the number of adults (usually liberal adults with no children of their own) who mock this.

Second, let me say that I'm old enough to remember a time when even adults didn't call one another by their first name unless they were familiar with one another.

I would say that around college, when you're starting to become an adult yourself, it's OK for young people to call adults by their first name if the adult invites them to do so.

I'm forty-five years old and I still call many adults, including those I don't know "Mr. and Mrs".

And, for the record, my dad is eighty years old and still calls ladies (even young ladies) "Miss" and "Ma'am".

You never outgrow good manners.