Sorry, that was supposed to be a personal reply off-list. On Sat, 10 Aug 2024 at 12:01, Martin D Kealey <mar...@kurahaupo.gen.nz> wrote:
> 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. >
