On Thu, 8 Aug 2024 at 03:14, alex xmb sw ratchev <fxmb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> mr chet > I REALLY get annoyed when strangers call me "Mister Martin" or write "Mr Martin". I am NOT a child, so how DARE they mock me like that. The short version: Some folk don't care, others don't know any better, but if you suspect the person you're talking to is over 40, I would strongly recommend you avoid this style of address - unless of course you WANT to mock them. The longer version: My family name is "Kealey", and my given name is "Martin". Only small children (or adults too young to know better) allow themselves to be called by an honorific with their first name, unless the two people are very close friends or family. If you really need to be formal, write "Mr Kealey", but otherwise just call me "Martin". (*1) If anyone tells you that honorific+given name is the preferred polite way to talk to older people, tell them you know someone whose native language is English who says that what they're saying is "polite" is actually an insult to older people, and if they still don't believe you, tell them to contact me directly. -Martin Kealey *1: if you suspect that the person is over 70, you'd best avoid their given name entirely, and stick to honorific+surname.
