Comments on: Different Strokes

By: RonF

RonF — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:23:30 +0000

Oh, I would get in trouble.

“Noreen, would you get me that …”

“Excuse me, but I insist you call me by the title I have earned!”

“Bitch, would you get me that …”

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:26:30 +0000

I came across this quote today. Somehow it seemed appropros to this thread:

“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” Margaret Thatcher

By: Snake Eater

Snake Eater — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:51:48 +0000

Michelle, I thought you might appreciate the PS… still eagerly awaiting comments from the “fragile flower”. Best

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:58:55 +0000

Yup, just exactly like a laywer I use to work for. Gee,
come to think of it, I do miss His Excelllency aka His Lordship aka …

By: Snake Eater

Snake Eater — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:06:58 +0000

Anna Keppa, Re the final line of your comment # 56 above…the mind indeed reels in contemplation of the “indigntities”… oh the horror!… imagined or not , that you might have suffered in dealing with those dreaded lawyers… a/k/a “them” … clearly suffering a fragile flower such as yourself should not have to endure …you’ll be in my prayers. Best

PS, In the Anglosphere lawyers are generally not referred to as Doctors although they are in some other parts of the world…around here in my professional circles I’m usually referred to as ” The Great Exalted All Knowing One”…of course I’ m less formal with family and friends where a simple ” Supreme Leader” will do.

By: Bill the Shoe

Bill the Shoe — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:02:40 +0000

snark
I would point out that historians were earning doctorates while medicine was the province of barber surgeons.
/snark

However, some of the phenomenon of MDs insisting on “doctor” may be related to the same insecurity that JPS notes among low-ranking and insecure academics. More and more non-doctors—nurses, physicians’ assistants, medical technicians—are fixing boo-boos. (“A New Degree and Exam Create ‘Doctor Nurses,’ Irking Physicians” http://chronicle.com/weekly/v55/i19/19a00701.htm (subscription required))

I would second Danger—I don’t use my retired rank, and I don’t use my academic title. Perhaps one reason is that a common reaction to those who insist on being called “Doctor” is, “That idiot has a PhD?”

Other random notes on “doctor”:
(1) In some academic settings, the snobbish use Mr./ Ms. because it is assumed that everyone has a doctorate.
(2) PhD physicist, in examing room, with new MD. MD: “Hi, Norm, I’m Dr. Soandso.” “Hi, Tony, I’m Dr. Suchandsuch.”