Calling someone "Dr." outside of medical setting

[WDWJDS]

Was just watching an episode of Snapped (yes, that's an entirely different thread) where one of the interviewees was talking about the suspect's relative. At first she said "Mr." then changed it to "Dr.", even though his medical license had nothing to do with the story.

If you're not on a first name basis with someone, do you address physicians as "Dr." outside of medical situations?

 

[Poohforyou]

Yes, I used the doctor designation to address people I know to be medical doctors but aren't on a first name basis with. I never thought to do otherwise. It's no different than someone who's a minister, military officer etc.

 

[Ceila]

Was just watching an episode of Snapped (yes, that's an entirely different thread) where one of the interviewees was talking about the suspect's relative. At first she said "Mr." then changed it to "Dr.", even though his medical license had nothing to do with the story.

If you're not on a first name basis with someone, do you address physicians as "Dr." outside of medical situations?

Of course I do; that's their title. And, in the same way, I address people with a Ph.D. as Dr. So-and-so if I'm not on a first name basis with them.

Most people I know who are medical doctors or have a Ph.D. don't care and would never in a million years correct someone, but if you know the correct title you should use it, IMO. I do know one person who is quick to correct everyone, but she's pretty insecure in general, so it doesn't surprise me.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I used to work with a guy who insisted on being referred to as "Dr". He was our purchasing manager and had a PhD in some unrelated field. We just called him Virgil.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I work in a setting where I call our "customers" Mr/Mrs/Dr So and So. Oftentimes they will call up and say "Hi this is Dr. So and So."

 

[Cindy B]

yes, they earned it- so I use it.

I grew up in a military family. So even if people came over the house and were higher ranking than my father; it was always Major instead of Mr. So and So. One time I feeling snarky and my moms boss came over- I called him Mr. So and So instead of Major-- boy did I get in trouble!

I work in education field so there are many Doctorates. My superintendent has a Phd, but I can't call him by his first name- like everyone else does. I just can't! I have changed it to Dr. Last name Initial, and that works for me.

One of my former co-teachers had a Phd. Everyone called him Dr. Last Name, instead of Mr. Last name.

 

[niceblueeyedgirl]

Omg, at my place of employment once, a medical doctor came in for our services, not in his professional capacity, but personal.

One of our employees came out to greet him, and I don't know if she just didn't know he was a doctor or figured since this was personal in nature, he would prefer it to be casual....either way, she came out, nice as can be. "James, I'm Penny and..."

Oh my gosh. It went nuclear. He looked and sounded like he was foaming at the mouth. He addressed the receptionist, but also Penny at the same time. He said something to the effect of, "Would you PLEASE make it known in your files that I am to be addressed as DOCTOR Smith? I went to school for X number of years to earn that title, and should be treated with respect..."

We were all stunned. So, in our computer software, we actually had to change his first name to "Doctor" to make sure any of his documentation/correspondence would be to his exact specifications.

 

[NFLDERS]

Yes, I used the doctor designation to address people I know to be medical doctors but aren't on a first name basis with. I never thought to do otherwise. It's no different than someone who's a minister, military officer etc.

We are on first name basis with our family Dr. When we meet him in town it's first name basis. However our minister, when we were young kids we called him Father David; as Adults Father ____.

 

[sachiiiii]

I work at a medical office, and even outside of work I refer to them all as Dr. They introduce themselves to my husband by their first names, but I just can't make myself call them by it.

 

[wiigirl]

I think if you know they are a doctor and aren't on first name basis....use it.

 

[DisneyDreamer2504]

I would not likely call someone dr outside a medical setting and there's little chance I would call someone by their military rank either. I get that they've earned it, but if you aren't my dr or officer, then your rank is irrelevant to me. I've met a few ppl who've insisted they should be referred to as dr, and I think it's really pretentious to point it out. I guess it might sound disrespectful to some ppl, but referring to someone as mr or mrs should be considered polite enough to me. And if I know them enough to be on a first-name basis, then I will definitely refer to them by their first name. Just my opinion though.

 

[worm761]

I would not likely call someone dr outside a medical setting and there's little chance I would call someone by their military rank either. I get that they've earned it, but if you aren't my dr or officer, then your rank is irrelevant to me. I've met a few ppl who've insisted they should be referred to as dr, and I think it's really pretentious to point it out. I guess it might sound disrespectful to some ppl, but referring to someone as mr or mrs should be considered polite enough to me. And if I know them enough to be on a first-name basis, then I will definitely refer to them by their first name. Just my opinion though.

This.

 

[Ceila]

I would not likely call someone dr outside a medical setting and there's little chance I would call someone by their military rank either. I get that they've earned it, but if you aren't my dr or officer, then your rank is irrelevant to me. I've met a few ppl who've insisted they should be referred to as dr, and I think it's really pretentious to point it out. I guess it might sound disrespectful to some ppl, but referring to someone as mr or mrs should be considered polite enough to me. And if I know them enough to be on a first-name basis, then I will definitely refer to them by their first name. Just my opinion though.

I definitely think that people who point it out can be seen as obnoxious, but I also think that refusing to use someone's correct title is rude and smacks of reverse-elitism.

 

[kathie859]

I definitely think that people who point it out can be seen as obnoxious, but I also think that refusing to use someone's correct title is rude and smacks of reverse-elitism.

This!!!!!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Unless I was invited to be on a first name basis, I'd keep the formalities.

 

[Jennasis]

Didn't Theo's friends on the Cosby Show refer to his Dad as "Dr. Huxtable"?

On a related note, ALL of my veterinarians (we use 4) refer to themselves professionally by the first name and so do I when dealing with them. For example, if I call to speak to Dr. Sue Smith, I will ask the receptionist "Hello Melinda, this is Jennasis...is Sue around? I have a question."

Then again I've been working with these people for YEARS and casual is how they seem to prefer it.

My mother was the medical assistant for a doctor for many years and always referred to him as "Doctor", as though that was his first name when addresseing him in the office, and Dr. Smith outside of work (he came to many family functions).

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Unless I was invited to be on a first name basis, I'd keep the formalities.

That works both ways though. Don't refer to the receptionist by her first name, and then insist on being called "doctor" outside your own office.

 

[OceanAnnie]

That works both ways though. Don't refer to the receptionist by her first name, and then insist on being called "doctor" outside your own office.

I suppose. I just go along to get along. If it floats their boat so be it. I'm not around that kind of situation often.

ETA: Sometimes a just a "hello" will do.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Depends.
Some of my neighbors are doctors. I would never address them as doctor.
My kids usually call them Mr not doctor. I have corrected my kids and all have said that's silly they can call me what they want.

At work: yes
A few of them , I am friendly with and we will go out outside of work, then no, first name.

 

[WDWJDS]

I would not likely call someone dr outside a medical setting and there's little chance I would call someone by their military rank either. I get that they've earned it, but if you aren't my dr or officer, then your rank is irrelevant to me. I've met a few ppl who've insisted they should be referred to as dr, and I think it's really pretentious to point it out. I guess it might sound disrespectful to some ppl, but referring to someone as mr or mrs should be considered polite enough to me. And if I know them enough to be on a first-name basis, then I will definitely refer to them by their first name. Just my opinion though.

This is the way that I feel as well. Yes they earned that professional title, but if it's not in that particular professional setting, I think it's appropriate to address someone as Mr or Mrs. Heck, I earned my RN title too but wouldn't expect my daughter's teacher to refer to me as "Nurse" like my patients do.