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!

And it’s medics that are not ‘proper’ doctors. It was always for academics but then got taken on by medics here.

Pretty easily cleared up too: “I’m not a medical Dr”. Next.

So you are not actually entitled to use the title. You are entitled to use it as long as it doesn't cause confusion. It could be said that it causes confusion in more places than a hospital.

Me too. The use of titles is so out dated. I would like to see schools modernise and not use them anymore. It sort of sticks out like a sore thumb that schools are the only ones that use titles anymore.

Yeah exactly the same as emailing anyone else really. It's not rocket science. (Unless it's an email about rocket science)

It's probably very handy if you're travelling with a poster tube!

But it is medics that adopted the title, when it had been an academic originally.

I'm a medical dr, and my partner is a PhD (not medical).

I only use Dr on professional correspondence e.g. professional registration, booking for medical conferences etc. On the bank accounts, utility bills etc I'm Miss. I'm not ashamed of it, but I don't feel the need to announce it - plus, I'm always suspicious that a tradesman might see "Dr" and decide to charge me more. I'll be honest, it would feel a bit wanky if the gardener/plumber/taxi driver wrote a receipt with my name on to say "It's Dr actually", really isn't going to make them respect you more.

Partner uses his PhD title at work (academic-adjacent work, so relevant to demonstrate his level of qualification). Again, bank accounts, utility bills etc, simply uses Mr.

However some people feel very strongly that as they worked v hard for their PhD (or medical qualification), they want to use the title, and I can't really get worked up about that. If they have the qualification, and are entitled to use it, fair play to them.

Are you having to deal with my ex-colleague (education)? Yes supposedly a PhD and yes Dr title everywhere. I think she bought it off the Internet- I have in over 30 years working in professional environments never met anyone so incompetent and rude.

YANBU. Pure wank

It's pretty normal in teaching - I went to a state school and taught in one, I'm female, why wouldn't I want to inspire the girls in the school to aspire to get a PhD? And show that people just like them can get one? It's one way to be a good role model!

I’m an expert in my job, I don’t expect people to use my job title.

Don't worry I doubt anyone would give you any respect as you have shown none towards others.

lol THIS

Medics were given the title as an honorific, PhDs are actual Doctors.

And as a previous poster says, makes a hell of a difference in the way you're treated when dealing with arsy blokes in places like garages.

I don't know how typical this is, but my husband has a PhD and dislikes using the title Dr on two grounds:

1. he doesn't want anyone to assume he is a medical doctor and ask him for help he can't give;
2. he no longer works in the field his PhD is in, and thinks it would be a bit pompous to insist on everyone recognising a qualification that is irrelevant to his current life.

It’s completely normal and a weird thing for other people to be so bitter and resentful of.

I had the easiest PhD! When I lived in Austria I was titled "Frau Dr. InDIYHell". The irony being my husband has the PhD. Back in the UK I've reverted back to plain old Mrs.

Licensed to carry a poster tube on a plane

I think the issue here is that if you are using it in a hospital, it is easy to cause confusion to patients, surely? I went to uni with someone who had done a PhD prior to medical school, and was told in no uncertain terms that she couldn't go round introducing herself as Dr Jones to patients while she was a medical student (which she had been doing), to the potential to confuse patients into thinking they were seeing a qualified medical doctor.

Actually I don't think a tradesman would add money to your bill because you are a Dr. They would judge your ability to pay by the size of your house and even then would be cautious because big houses often mean regular work.

I don’t use mine for status. I don’t care enough about that. But if someone calls me Miss or Mrs, I use it. I also use it when ordering stuff so it matches my bank card, but lots of my friends wouldn’t even know I’m have that title.

I personally know more women who use the title of Ms than Mrs.

The fact that medics started using the title Dr to convey respect ( when most infact don't hold a doctoral degree) says it all really!

Outside of academia its use is primarily driven by ego.

So, what about protected titles? It's illegal for random people to use them when they're not entitled to, and you can be prosecuted for doing so.

Does this also make people incandescent with rage, or are people glad that these exist for good reasons?

It's just so so normal! I've not come across the opposite opinion, why wouldn't people use their hard earned and relevant title? I'm going to embrace 'Rev' in the next couple of years when I become one, can't wait!

I have a PhD and use it appropriately in a professional context.

I may have been known to use it inappropriately in with a particularly self important head teacher.

Medics assumed the title which was originally reserved for academics only.