Showing respect?

[ShowMe]

In this months commentary Hal writes a variation of something I've heard many times in my life:

" Oh, and I call him Mr. Randi, over his objections. He wants everyone to simply call him “Randi.” But I can not bring myself to do that. I was raised to treat those I respect with deference"

Does anyone else find this an odd way of thinking? If the person wants you to call him something in particular does it not show more respect by granting them their wish?

Is this any different from calling someone named Amanda "Mandy", even if she wants you to call her Amanda?

[ImaginalDisc]

In this months commentary Hal writes a variation of something I've heard many times in my life:

[/B]

Does anyone else find this an odd way of thinking? If the person wants you to call him something in particular does it not show more respect by granting them their wish?

Is this any different from calling someone named Amanda "Mandy", even if she wants you to call her Amanda?

That's odd, when I approached Hal at TAM4 to ask him a question I said. "Pardon me sir,.." and he politely interupted, saying "Please, call me 'Hal'."

[tsg]

In this months commentary Hal writes a variation of something I've heard many times in my life:

[/B]

Does anyone else find this an odd way of thinking? If the person wants you to call him something in particular does it not show more respect by granting them their wish?

Is this any different from calling someone named Amanda "Mandy", even if she wants you to call her Amanda?

Well, the honorific "Mr." is pretty much a universal indication of respect. If he insisted on calling him "The Rand Man" or something similar despite his objections, it might be more in line with your "Mandy" example. If calling him "Mr." actually offended him, then I would be more inclined to agree, but I have a feeling (and I could be way off) that Randi's request not to be called "Mr." is driven more by humility than offense.

I do seem to remember that there are cultures where calling someone by their last name without an honorific is an insult or an indication of inferior status. But it's just "something I once heard".

[Spektator]

I sometimes drive people nuts by saying, "sir" and "ma'am," but I was raised in the South, and the habit just stuck. I drop it when asked to, but often I'll forget.

[RSLancastr]

Does anyone else find this an odd way of thinking?Not at all. I don't think Hal was saying that he refused to address Randi as other than "Mr.", only that he has difficulty in doing so.

And I can totally sympathise with that. I was raised the same way. And with The Amazing One being someone I have admired and respected for decades, it would imagine it would be difficult for me to refer to him as "James."

Calling him "Randi" would probably be easier, as it's his last name as well as his stage name. But I still understand Hal's reluctance.

[kittynh]

Linda once wrote about this, but I don't remember it clearly.

About how people call him different things. Well, I'm not bringing up what Sylvia Browne calls him!

The one thing she said people never call him is "James". But I know someone that DOES. And I think it is very touching.

I call him Mr.RAndi because, don't laugh, I heard Hal do it at TAM1. I wasn't sure how to address Mr.Randi. I insist Kitten2 address him as Mr.Randi as she is just a silly teenager. She doesn't mind at all!

I think as long as you don't call him what Uri Geller does, he would be fine with it.

[homer]

Could be worse ,if he called him Mrs!

[Hamradioguy]

I call him Mr.RAndi because, don't laugh, I heard Hal do it at TAM1. I wasn't sure how to address Mr.Randi. I insist Kitten2 address him as Mr.Randi as she is just a silly teenager. She doesn't mind at all!



That's because we are of an age where we were taught to address men older than we are as "Mr." Kitten2 isn't a silly teenager- she's a respectful young adult who's been raised properly! I suspect if Mr. Randi prefers another form of address he'd not hesitate to so tell us! (But the rules ARE odd- I guess I should call Pool Boy "Sir" as he outranks me! But then nobody needs to call ME Sir anymore as I resigned my commission a long time ago......Does this mean I'm no longer a gentleman?)

[kittynh]

hey if Congress says you are a gentlman then you are...so there.

Come to think of it, you guys have not been making Larry call you "SIR!"

[Moochie]

If you truly respect the person, that will shine through.

M.

[drkitten]

Does anyone else find this an odd way of thinking? If the person wants you to call him something in particular does it not show more respect by granting them their wish?


I don't find this odd at all. At my graduate school, I was -- by long-standing tradition -- on a first-name basis with all of the professors at the school, except one. I just couldn't bring myself to address a scholar of his standing as my equal. Because he wasn't my equal, by a long shot. On a good day, I might have been able to find equality with a powerful telescope.

There are some people from whom you can take seriously a request to treat them as equals.

There are some from whom you can't.

[Jeff Wagg]

I call him Mr. Randi, because Kitty does. After seeing how much Kitty respects Randi, I decided to follow in her footsteps and do likewise.

(And secretly, I think he likes it.)

[tkingdoll]

The one thing she said people never call him is "James".


Eee! I addressed him as 'James' in a couple of emails. Now I feel like a weirdo.

I'm jumping on the 'Mr. Randi' bandwagon immediately!

[TJ]

I always refer to him as "Randi", but I've only ever called him Mr. Randi.