Do you think it is okay for kids to greet adults by their first name?

Poll - Total Votes: 27

Yes

I think the adult should tell them

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You can only vote on one answer.

Or do you think it should be Mr. Mrs. Ms. and their last name?

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Badseed · 61-69, M

Children have always called me by my first name and I'm fine with it.

I don't think being made to address adults as Mr/Ms So-and-So makes children respect that adult any more than if they used the adults' first names. I know there were adults I addressed "respectfully" as a child whom I thought were stupid and/or bullies etc.

GirlSerendipity · 26-30, F

wish more adults thought like you did

Sharon · F

@GirlSerendipity: This one does. ;)

Badseed · 61-69, M

@Sharon: Adults can make children display all the outward demonstrations of "respect" they want. But deep inside, children feel the way they feel. Little girls used to be expected to curtsy to their elders back in my grandmothers' time, but I doubt if that made them feel any more "respectful" inside than if they hadn't been required to do so.

Sharon · F

@Badseed: You have to earn respect. Trying to demand it just earns contempt and ridicule.

Badseed · 61-69, M

When I was a kid, adults who demanded that I address them as "sir" or "ma'am," (which I wasn't required to do with my parents), just seemed like bullies. It didn't make me "respect" them more.

Jorgillo · 36-40, M

@Badseed in fact bullies are more likely to insist on being called with titles like mr. It's their sense of entitlement that drives them there.

Jorgillo · 36-40, M

@Badseed exactly but most people especially those higher on the narcissistic spectrum, don't care so much about how things are, only how they look like they are.