Academics using 'Dr' - wankerish?

[RevoltingPeasant]

On the day I got my PhD, the first thing my mum said to me when I rang to say I'd passed was, 'Oh, I do hope you won't call yourself Dr, it's so pretentious...

...and congratulations!'

Anywho, I never get called Dr except on my office door and in rejection letters from journals. But I think most academics do use it in civilian life. I kinda want to. Does this make me a smug git, especially because my subject specialism is in something entirely useless to humanity literature?

I have a PhD in history and will (in a couple of years) also be a medical doctor. I will probably stop short of calling myself Dr Dr C.

But you'll be Dr Clem PhD.

Like that Kay Scarpetta.

Although she was law and medical.

Ooh, maybe I could be Kay Scarpetta! I always fancied P.I. after my name as well...

I think it is wankerish to use it. So, you've worked hard - so do many, many other people. I think anyone who uses initials after their name is wankerish (although some exceptions in professional life).

No chips on shoulder here. Mr Ananymous has a phD but very few people actually know. Not even in his work.

It isn't 'using' it though. It simply IS your title. If your DH is asked for his title, and gives 'Mr', he's wrong. Pure and simple.

Using initials anywhere except a business card or suchlike, I'd agree is rarely on. My DH has so many qualifications and professional body letters that he had to limit what he has on his card to the most relevant 5 ... not including PhD, Dr on card obviously. He's a consultant so 'advertising' his range this way is informative to potential clients.

It's a choice though - technically I am Mrs because I am married. Do I choose to use it? Or stick the letters of my degree after my name even though I'm entitled to? Do I heck - my toes are curling at the thought.

I work with medical doctors, and it's interesting that some of them will answer the phone as Dr X, whereas others (whom I suspect as less interested in titles) with answer by their first name/last name.

are less

ElaineReese

No, I would think you were being pretentious for "correcting" me.

No need for the inverted commas there, Pendeen

Does that apply if I correct from Miss to Mrs, and Mrs to Miss? Or only to Dr?

Actually thinking about it, I often don't correct - not with people face to face who are only trying to be polite but get it wrong. I wouldn't say anything because I wouldn't want to make things awkward.

But I will correct banks, cold calls, school and any situation at my work where being Dr is relevant.

Every need, ElaineReese however having read some of the other replies and now your latest comments, I can meet you half way on this...

You make a very good point about the situation being relevant. It was social situations I was thinking of.

I wouldn't ever in a social situation, but then I can't imagine a social situation where anyone would be using a title!

But it would be correct, even though it's unlikely I'd do it, if you called me Mrs, which I'm not, to correct you to Dr, which I am! How could it not be?

Why do you see a title as being relevant? And in what way relevant?

Most people with PhDs don't stick letters after their name, Maisie, it would be seen as rather ridiculous. It's simply a question of using their correct title instead of Mr, Mrs, Miss etc. when they are required to state what their title is - not a "choice" at all. Dr is simply the correct title once you have a PhD. As for a title being "relevant" - well, it's relevant because certain everyday situations (eg. filling in a form, dealing with a call centre) require us to state our title.

Most academics introduce themselves as first name/last name - I've never come across any academic who introduces themselves with their title. When you work somewhere where virtually everyone has a doctorate, it's hardly something to boast about.

maisie is that to me or Pendeen?

My answer would be:

name on credit card
name for a badge at work/conference
name on office door
qualification as relevant to the level of expertise you may be providing

But basically, it's relevant because we make it so in society - bit circular really isn't it? I mean, we have a box to tick for title so we have to have one, almost rather than the other way around.

If you expect friends to call you Dr or put it on your Christmas cards, then you're being pretentious.

But in my opinion, you earned the title and if you choose to use it, then so what? Well done on the PhD.

There's a time and a place I suppose.

It would be VERY wankerish for me to put BA(hons) after my name though!!! (I know someone who does this...toe curling cringe)

Using a title (which is something society requires us to do) is very different to putting letters after your name.

That was for you Elaine - you specifically mentioned "banks, cold calls, school". I cannot see the need to indicate your title at all when dealing with your child's school (I presume this is what you meant), for example.

Actually - call centres do not require a title. You can simply say "no title". You are not legally obliged to give a title. If they get sniffy, tell them to pick one as you have no preference.

The only time I can see it being necessary to indicate your level of expertise is when you are writing a paper or similar. I've been to plenty of conferences where the name badge shows no title - the delegate list will provide details of job role. Again, it's the choice of the individual as to whether they choose, in that situation, to show that they have a Phd in whatever subject or not.

Need to hide this thread as I'm working from home today - too tempting to keep coming back to stick in my tuppence worth!

I 'use' Dr in any situation where I have to give a title (which is almost universally on forms). I can't be bothered correcting the school, who address letters to Miss InDisarray, or the GP surgery. MIL loves the title and addresses everything (even postcards) to Dr DH and Dr InDisarray. That always makes me laugh.

I don't think (other than in the post-viva celebrations) anyone has actually addressed me as Dr InDisarray. I can't think why they would. I hate being addressed by any title as it sounds so very weird. I don't correct anyone who addresses me by either the wrong title or the wrong last name. I will answer to Mrs DH and Mrs ex-P (this often comes up because DS1 has his Lastname not mine) if that's how someone chooses to address me. I don't think the mechanic servicing my car cares that I am not 'Mrs DH' (I always use DH's surname to book the car in because it is short and easy to spell, whereas mine is long and I have to spell it for them). Nor do I think the secretary at DS1's school care about who my husband is; she's really addressing me as DS1's mum and that's all that matters.

I do use the title at work, but even there I prefer to be addressed by everyone as Damsel.

My university insists on putting me on the website as: Dr DamselInDisarray MA(Hons) (University), MSc (University), PhD (University). They do it to everyone, so we all look like wankers.

Ok, so maybe you don't technically have to give your title to a call centre. But there are plenty of other situations where you do - passport, booking flights, driving license, banks. I agree it shouldn't be necessary, but it's ridiculous to pretend that using one's title is a choice. I actually think it's more wankerish to kick up a big fuss and refuse to give your title when asked.

I think using your title can come in very handy sometimes.

DH used his title on all our correspondence with the sellers when we were involved in the bidding process for our home (7 people made offers of over the asking price. The sellers decided to take sealed bids on the property). Our bid was accepted. We later found out that we'd offered £15K less than someone else. It turned out that the neighbour, who'd been the deceased owner's carer for 30 years, was given the deciding say on whose bid would be accepted. I think she was swayed by the thought of having a nice medical doctor living next door with his young family. She must have been gutted when she found out that DH was actually a computer programmer with a PHD from ShitBank university.

You don't have to put your title on your passport. You can have it endorsed to say that you are known as Dr, but you don't have to. It's useful if you use a different name professionally to in your private life.

For example, if I wanted to be Mrs DH generally, I could have my passport endorsed with 'This holder is also known as Dr DamselInDisarray' on the official observations page. That might help with the university booking a ticket or hotel in one name but your passport being in another, for example.