Posted by Jen Star on July 6, 2005, at 0:49:43
In reply to Re: What do you call your Therapist?, posted by Tamar on July 5, 2005, at 15:09:41
Tamar, this is a really interesting thread and I found your post very insightful! I know I'm one of the people who like to use first names partially b/c I want to seem on equal footing, but I don't ever try to do it with an attitude. I always try to be respectful of people's degrees and knowledge. And if someone prefers to be called "Dr. X" or "Prof. X" then I always use what they prefer, out of respect too.
I know what you mean about some people trying to put you in your place. I don't have a phd, but I used to work as a rather high-level engineering manager. Some of the male technicians in the corp. -- esp. the older ones (I mean in their upper 40s and beyond) liked to call me "cutesy" names, like "Dear", "Honey" or "Jennie Starrie" or such. One guy I think only did it b/c he was so used to "girls" being "girly". But one guy for SURE was trying to make me smaller. He would call me "Dear" in meetings and try to touch my arm all the time, and would act condescending. I finally had to take him aside and tell him to call me "JenStar" instead of "Dear." He deserved an Oscar for his hurt and misunderstood act after that! But he did start treating me with more respect. It's a strange thing...
JenStar
poster:Jen Star
thread:523728
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050628/msgs/524112.html