Professor insisting to call themselves Doctor (1 Viewer)

[dgreen]

Put it on your business card. Put it on your office name plate. Put it on papers or the book you write. Put it on your presentation slides and have yourself introduced that way at the presentation. Put it on your name tag at conferences. Put it in your email signature. But don’t request that people address you that way when talking to you. 

 

[Dan Lambskin]

This is the norm in Europe, or at least in Germany, so I could understand it if they’re from Europe. It strikes me as pompous, but it’s just the way it’s done over there - everyone with a doctorate degree is addresses as “doctor.”  Unlike us, they have separate terms to indicated medical doctor, so they don’t have that confusion. 

For a professor to demand or require his students to address him as “doctor” in this country seems silly. That said, there is an important lesson to be learned. If you want to get ahead and be successful in school and the business world, one of the more important skills is to learn is that when you are young you are dog eat and you have to eat #### from your superiors, the folks who are in control of your success or failure. This is true nearly universally, until you become one of them. 

My old company we had a German chemist and his email would display as Professor Doctor (name)

 

[msommer]

Never understood that.  If you have earned your  Masters you are not referred to as Master.

In Germany you are entitled to be called Herr/Frau Doktor after a Masters...

 

[msommer]

This is the norm in Europe, or at least in Germany, so I could understand it if they’re from Europe. It strikes me as pompous, but it’s just the way it’s done over there - everyone with a doctorate degree is addresses as “doctor.”  Unlike us, they have separate terms to indicated medical doctor, so they don’t have that confusion. 

For a professor to demand or require his students to address him as “doctor” in this country seems silly. That said, there is an important lesson to be learned. If you want to get ahead and be successful in school and the business world, one of the more important skills is to learn is that when you are young you are dog eat and you have to eat #### from your superiors, the folks who are in control of your success or failure. This is true nearly universally, until you become one of them. 

AFAIK only Germany

ETA: Possibly also in Austria and Switzerland

 

[AAABatteries]

so a developer

This isn’t a hill I’m ready to die on as I don’t really care and think the architect title is kind of dumb but I think developer doesn’t fit either.  System or Platform Engineer is probably closer but then you have all the ####### train people all up in arms.

 

[AAABatteries]

In Germany you are entitled to be called Herr/Frau Doktor after a Masters...

I’m a Herr Pie Doktor 

 

[AAABatteries]

so a developer

This isn’t a hill I’m ready to die on as I don’t really care and think the architect title is kind of dumb but I think developer doesn’t fit either.  System or Platform Engineer is probably closer but then you have all the ####### train people all up in arms.

 

[gianmarco]

This isn’t a hill I’m ready to die on as I don’t really care and think the architect title is kind of dumb but I think developer doesn’t fit either.  System or Platform Engineer is probably closer but then you have all the ####### train people all up in arms.

We know already.

 

[msudaisy26]

My father has his PhD and introduces himself as Dr. He will also ignore people that don't address him as Dr. if you didn't know him well enough to call him by his first name. I never wondered why he didn't have any friends. 

 

[Dedfin]

What do you call the guy who graduates last in his class from medical school?

Spoiler

Doctor

Even if he or she doesn't take their medical board exams?

 

[Dedfin]

This isn’t a hill I’m ready to die on as I don’t really care and think the architect title is kind of dumb but I think developer doesn’t fit either.  System or Platform Engineer is probably closer but then you have all the ####### train people all up in arms.

Titles:

Computer Nerd I

Computer Nerd II

Computer Nerd III

Manager Computer Nerd

 

[jhib]

Calling someone doctor is different than asking others to call you doctor. 

In academia, especially in a relevant field, they have every right to make that request. 

Having every right to make that request is different than actually making that request.

 

[rockaction]

Having every right to make that request is different than actually making that request.

Agreed. 

 

[Foosball God]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C41o5a6NeNE

 

[Johnny Rock]

What’s up Doc? ?

 

[apalmer]

I have a Juris Doctor. I demand you call me Dr. Christo from now on. I've earned it, dammit.

Go ahead, laugh.  One of the guys I graduated from law school with was stunned when a member of the firm he started with said exactly that...and was serious.

 

[Spin]

so a developer

Not really.  Typically the architect designs how the system is going to be set up, and then they hand it to the devs to build the system.  The architect will design the infrastructure, layout, framework,  then the devs implement it and actually build the system.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I have a Juris Doctor. I demand you call me Dr. Christo from now on. I've earned it, dammit.

Herr Doktor

 

[gianmarco]

Herr Doktor -- Attorney at Large

FYP

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

FYP

You can just call me Maurice, 'cos I speak of the pompatus of love.  Just no hippopomatuses, I go for the size 2's not those size 82's.

 

[parasaurolophus]

I dont think a medical doctor should ever insist on being called doctor either. If I knew they were a doctor, I would call them such. If I didnt and they corrected me, that's just dumb. I will never forget when my friend's dad corrected me many years ago. She was having a party and when I arrived her father answered the door. I had never met her parents before or been to her house. They had kind of as goofy driveway. I was very polite and said "It is nice to meet you Mr. Smith, is where I parked Ok?." His reply was "Dr. Smith" and walked away. 

 

[belljr]

I would be preferred to be called Jack.

Its not my name but I think I would like it

 

[kface]

Quite frankly calling anyone doctor sees ridiculous...your just some guy/gal with a job

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

For a professor to demand or require his students to address him as “doctor” in this country seems silly. That said, there is an important lesson to be learned. If you want to get ahead and be successful in school and the business world, one of the more important skills is to learn is that when you are young you are dog meat and you have to eat #### from your superiors, the folks who are in control of your success or failure. This is true nearly universally, until you become one of them. 




1

I don't get it.  Am I just ancient?  All of my undergrad professors were Dr. Whatever.  Not that they'd be snippy about how some guy talked to them, but that's what they'd put on the syllabus (unless the class was taught by a grad assistant).  Isn't this just a matter of convention?  

As proof for my contention, I offer the ultimate authority.  The film version of The Hunt for Red October.

You have something to ADD to our discussion Dr. Ryan?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I'm raising this issue in a private facebook group where my History Prof and his colleagues go and make fun of student writing.  Will report back...

 

[GregR]

so a developer

Not really.  Typically the architect designs how the system is going to be set up, and then they hand it to the devs to build the system.  The architect will design the infrastructure, layout, framework,  then the devs implement it and actually build the system.

Right. While they have a close relationship to each other, the things I go to an architect for are usually different than the things I go to the developers for. 

 

[Henry Ford]

What do you call the guy who graduates last in his class from medical school?

Spoiler

Doctor

What do you all the guy who graduates last in his class from law school?

Spoiler

Your Honor

 

[CletiusMaximus]

As proof for my contention, I offer the ultimate authority.  The film version of The Hunt for Red October.

Another example - I think Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones character was frequently referred to as "Dr. Jones" throughout those movies.

 

[Joe Summer]

I'm not calling anyone "Doctor" unless they have an MD, and I'm not calling anyone "Professor" unless they can make a radio out of a coconut.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

What do you all the guy who graduates last in his class from law school?

Spoiler

Your Honor

Alternate Answer:

Spoiler

"Mr. President"

 

[Gr00vus]

Unless its Doctor J, anyone demanding to be called doctor in a non-medical context can shove it.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Another example - I think Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones character was frequently referred to as "Dr. Jones" throughout those movies.

No time for love Doctor Jones!

 

[knowledge dropper]

This conversation reminds me of The Maestro Seinfeld episode.  

 

[parasaurolophus]

Another example - I think Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones character was frequently referred to as "Dr. Jones" throughout those movies.

oke doke

 

[Henry Ford]

Alternate Answer:

Spoiler

"Mr. President"

I'm not familiar with any people who graduated last in their law school classes becoming president.  To whom are you referring?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I have a Juris Doctor. I demand you call me Dr. Christo from now on. I've earned it, dammit.

I work for a German company and the attorneys over there all refer to themselves and are generally called "Dr.".

 

[Henry Ford]

I don't get it.  Am I just ancient?  All of my undergrad professors were Dr. Whatever.  Not that they'd be snippy about how some guy talked to them, but that's what they'd put on the syllabus (unless the class was taught by a grad assistant).  Isn't this just a matter of convention?  

As proof for my contention, I offer the ultimate authority.  The film version of The Hunt for Red October.

If I may humbly offer a slightly different defense (and yes, all of my professors were "Doctor") - the word doctor derives from the Latin word "doctor" which comes from the latin verb "docere."  Which means "to teach." A doctor in Latin was a teacher. 

Doctor meant Ph.D.-type long before it meant M.D.-type.

And in defense of this, in keeping with the theme, I offer Oenomaus, the gladiator and teacher of gladiator slaves, played expertly by Peter Mensah in Spartacus.  Generally referred to only as "Doctore."

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

If I may humbly offer a slightly different defense (and yes, all of my professors were "Doctor") - the word doctor derives from the Latin word "doctor" which comes from the latin verb "docere."  Which means "to teach." A doctor in Latin was a teacher. 

Doctor meant Ph.D.-type long before it meant M.D.-type.

And in defense of this, in keeping with the theme, I offer Oenomaus, the gladiator and teacher of gladiator slaves, played expertly by Peter Mensah in Spartacus.  Generally referred to only as "Doctore."

And may I remind you of the T.V. show Daktari, with Clarence the cross-eyed lion.

Wait..  Sorry.  This is D.W.'s Day Nurse.  We let him out without taking his meds.  Our apologies.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

And my I remind you of the T.V. show Daktari, with Clarence the cross-eyed lion.

Wait..  Sorry.  This is D.W.'s Day Nurse.  We let him out without taking his meds.  Our apologies.

Those responsible have been sacked. Mynd you, møøse bites Kan be pretti nasti... We apologise again for the fault in the subtitles. Those responsible for sacking the people who have just been sacked have been sacked

 

[Henry Ford]

And my I remind you of the T.V. show Daktari, with Clarence the cross-eyed lion.

Wait..  Sorry.  This is D.W.'s Day Nurse.  We let him out without taking his meds.  Our apologies.

Please don’t apologize.  He’s our favorite patient. 

 

[LAUNCH]

If they are your doctor you call them doctor.  If they are a doctor, but not your doctor, call them by their first name or Mr/Mrs Last Name.

Stu: Mind if I take a look at that I’m a doctor.

Dr. Valsh: You said that several times last night but really you’re just a Dentist.

 

[Wrigley]

Doctor of Sociology<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>Medical Doctor

In academia I guess they earned the right, but they better reciprocate by calling me Colonel Chubby Chaser. 

Christo?

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Christo?

For Christo I think it should be Commodore Christo.  The alliteration just sings.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Commodore Christo chases cooze

chomps and chews through cheerleader crews

chows chalupas and Charleston Chews

a courthouse charmer who mocks Tom Cruise

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

One of my cousins is a college professor with a PhD in the humanities.  When one of his students addresses him as "Mister", he replies, "Mister Dickinson is my father's name.  Call me Doctor Dickinson."

 

[Chadstroma]

Doctor actually originated as an academic term. Getting a PhD is not an easy thing and the title is meant to honor the achievement of being a learned individual and having the capacity to teach others at the highest levels of thinking in that field.

But Americans tend to think of Doctor = MD. So, it is understandable. I mean, when some yells "IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?!" They are not asking if you have a PhD they want an MD.

I get a little more irritated when a Dentist or Vet requests the title.

Also, it might as well be noted "Professor" though commonly used for anyone teaching at a higher education is actually a ranking and is to be earned. It is a breach of etiquette to call someone a "Professor" who has not earned that title. It would be a full Professor in the U.S. and "associate" or "assistant" Professors are not actually Professors. (Most of the world does not use those kind of positions in academia). I remember one instructor in college telling us not to call him Professor or Prof because it was something to be earned and he had not yet earned it. He said though it was technically right to call him Doctor he preferred simply teacher or his first name.

 

[wikkidpissah]

I'll agree to call PhDs "Dr." if they'll use their special genius to come up with a term of respect for Nurse Practitioners & Physician's Assistants. We have like one MD & 20 PA-Cs, APRNs & NPs in my li'l town and i need something more formal to call the one fingerblasting my butt than "Renee".

 

[Henry Ford]

I'll agree to call PhDs "Dr." if they'll use their special genius to come up with a term of respect for Nurse Practitioners & Physician's Assistants. We have like one MD & 20 PA-Cs, APRNs & NPs in my li'l town and i need something more formal to call the one fingerblasting my butt than "Renee".

My understanding is that it's appropriate to refer to any woman fingerblasting your butt as "Mistress."

 

[gianmarco]

My understanding is that it's appropriate to refer to any woman fingerblasting your butt as "Mistress."

This reminds me of my weekend back in 1992 in the Florida Keys when this one-legged prostitute was doing her 2nd line of coke on my buddy's backside and it was only then I noticed she had "mistress" tattooed on the inside of both of her thighs and she explained it was related to her time as a Russian brothel director during the Cold War.

--EG72

 

[Henry Ford]

We could fix all this by referring to Ph.D holders as "doctor" and M.D.s we could call "doctor doctors."