AIBU - use of ‘Dr’ title - is this normal?!

[Cheesecake45]

Just not sure if I need to get with the times or not - is it normal to go by the title ‘Dr’ simply for having a PhD, if you aren’t in the medical profession? I’m talking one of the easiest PhDs to get (comparatively speaking), nothing vaguely linked to medicine.

AIBU??
YES = this is totally normal get over yourself
NO = wouldn’t be caught dead calling myself a doctor unless I could be assistance in a medical emergency!

I don't think they're comparable figures - do 45% pass that exam at first go or after all attempts? I'm not sure why it matters though which are supposedly harder or not - we all have different skills and talents and we need them all to make society work.

I have a PhD (5 years of blood, sweat and tears).
I only use Dr when it is relevant which, in my daily life, it almost never is.

DH likewise, so it's not a man/woman thing.

A friend (female) likewise.

Perfectly normal

All the kids took the piss out of anyone making any effort at my school too. Most of them ended up working in the local factory on minimum wage. Not sure it's a strong recommendation...

Bit harsh, we have been "allowed" to go by Dr for about 10 years now

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/uk-veterinary-surgeons-to-use-courtesy-doctor-title/

I think the only thing I use mine on outside work is my National Trust membership, because it was the first thing that asked for my title after my graduation.

Birthday cards are addressed to a mixture of Dr Duvet Cover/Miss Duvet Cover/Laura etc. I answer to them all!

You haven't answered my question. Why do you believe that all people using Dr as their title are arses? What is your reasoning?

So if Sir David Attenborough, or Lord Sugar wanted to buy a property, you'd, "Pish" (not sure what a pish is. I assume you mean piss) yourself laughing due to their title and then proclaim them an arse?

Baffling.

This is a great thread btw. People who make being a Dr their entire personality!

That's brilliant!
And congratulations on yours!

I went to a grammar school and a few of the teachers were Drs. Can’t remember it ever being remarked upon, although do remember being impressed when I arrived in yr 7 and my lovely Maths teacher was a DR of maths

Why would it be more important for a utility company to know someone is a medical doctor rather than, say, a checkout operator or "mere" PhD?

Thank you so much! 💕

@WalkingonWheels pish is Scottish for piss yes. See, despite all your lofty qualifications I taught you something!

You are entitled to use it so it's fine if you want to. Exh did until got professor.

Quite frankly your comment just confirms exactly why estate agents have a certain( not admirable) reputation.

If you hold a Doctorate, you're a Doctor.

Words can have more than one meaning.

@ISeriouslyDoubtIt and yet I probably earn way more than you.

I have several educational abbreviations after my name but have never used them. My friends who have phds in non medical subjects also never use their title. One does and everyone thinks it's cringe! Xx

Oh, such a lot of people on this thread with massive chips on their shoulder who presumably went to the “School of Hard Knocks” and the “University of Life”.

The UK is increasingly an anti-intellectual hell-hole. I don’t think Govey started it with his “had enough of experts” but he definitely exemplified it.

Maybe because of having a family member who was particularly annoying about it and insisting on being called Dr on everything.

My friend is a fellow married to a prof and they are Mr and Mrs. I hugely respect them and their learning/ achievements. I think that when you reach prof status that is really quite something. I can’t understand a thing about what they do.

To be frank, I’m playing devils advocate a bit and for most people with a PhD I have huge respect.

Earning my PhD was harder than giving birth (csection with a shit tonne of drugs). I'm going to use my Dr title whether you like it or not OP. I use the title at work and for official correspondence and I pull it out of the bag when other people are being dicks by trying to patronise me because I'm 'just a woman'. Using the title usually results is a marked shift in their tone and attitude towards me afterwards... for the better. And, yes, I have it on my passport and have been offered upgrades. So, as shit and wankey as it may sound to others, I'm super proud of persevering in my line of study and think I deserve every ounce of 'privilege' it affords me!

Nobody does that by simply using their hard earned title though.

You sound like you have an inferiority complex

Only? A PhD is a higher level qualification than a medical degree.

Many women see getting married as an achievement such that they want to be known as "Mrs". Do you think that's pathetic too?

Me booking a table at a restaurant…

What name?

Dr Norman