To ask if this is a cultural thing?

[JackiePlace]

A professional associate today referred to his superior as "Mr Firstname" (so Mr Bill rather than Mr Smith, for example). The superior was not present at the time, it was just the two of us in a meeting. Both of them are from India (I am not). Is this usual in this culture and if so, what does it mean?

I don't know about India, but in Greece they do this and it's a slightly less formal way of addressing someone than using their last name.

Yeah, it's a respect thing.

That's interesting @LittleBoPeepHasLostHerShit ... I never knew that. I would have expected the associate to call him by his first name so perhaps the extra layer of formality was for my benefit.
(I also wasn't sure if it might be a mocking thing.)

Good to know. thanks.

Very common here in Portugal too

Respect thing and translating the respect into English

For my generation, it would mean a younger sibling, in English, although the modern generation dont use it like this.

Interestingly, it does occur in Harry Potter, where Hermione is referred to as Miss Granger, and Ron as Mr Ron

Colleague of mine is Portuguese and addresses our management as Mr/Miss firstname

Don or Doña followed by first name are common in Spain.

It's somewhat common in the Southern US as well, especially if the colleague is a superior and much older. It's also even more common outside the workplace when addressing someone much older.

Like Pride and Prejudice - Miss Bennet is the eldest, then it’s Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty (Catherine) Bennet

No it definitely isn't mocking. As said, it's being respectful.