To think we should get rid of all titles - Sir, Lord, Ms, Master, Prince etc.

[Ohfuckrucksack]

No more Lords, no more Sirs, no fretting about Ms, Mrs or Miss and definitely get rid of Master, Prince etc.

I listen to the radio with them having to insert the 'Sir' and 'Lord' before people's names as though these titles make them more important people.

Have we not gone beyond honorifics? Most of these people have done very little to deserve their extra titles and some are actively harmful individuals.

I am still pondering on the Dr title for medics - because that is a professional title rather than honorary but wouldn't use it for those with PHDs.

Actually, the title Dr for a medic is an honorific title rather than an earned one. A PhD is an earned title so technically, if anyone should use it it’s those with a doctorate.

That aside, I don’t disagree with doing away with the Honours system. I’m also a republican so happy to do away with the Royal Family and nobility!

Couldn’t care much either way, I prefer just to use first names myself, but older people seem to be more comfortable with titles like mrs

I’m not sure. I’d like to do away with Mrs / Miss and it just be Ms regardless of marriage.

Some people receive their honours by doing quite extraordinary and good things. Not all of them are nonsense.

Well, I’m a Mrs and will always use that title, despite being a widow. It doesn’t get me any privileges though. 🤷‍♀️

You only need to look at countries with deposed royal families or that have abolished titles to see it hasn't really worked. They still use their titles and plenty of other people still refer to them with those titles.

"no fretting about Ms, Mrs or Miss"

So people I don't know would have to either call my by my first name (too informal in e.g. a business setting) or by my surname only (rather abrupt and formal, also suggests I may be their subordinate) or by my full name (weird to the ears, except when being called into a dental appointment).

So that's a 'no' from me.

By the time they are a full consultant a medical Dr has actually earned the title, but they start using the title Dr at a point when their education is actually only at Masters level. I would be fine with doing away with all unearned "birth" honorifics but those earned or conferred due to merit or achievement should stay.

By the same token, let's get away with job titles too. No one cares if someone is a 'manager' or 'director' surely.

Who's called Master?

There's Master of the Hounds or Master of the Rolls but those are job titles.

It only sound abrupt because of what you are used to

Be fine with me. I think we're going that way anyway.

Agree with all your points.

But haven’t earned the title in the strictest sense as they don’t have a doctorate. It’s not about level of education, it’s a specific qualification. I know this sounds pedantic (and it doesn’t matter in the real world) but I am correct in this! And I do have massive respect for doctors btw.

But yes I agree with your last sentence.

I agree get rid of all titles - it is a ridiculous system.

I think we would get used to just being called our names, but it would be strange at first.

Job titles I suppose can work in some situations - Builder Bob, Postman Pat etc.

But there are many many jobs where people are forced to wear name badges with just their first names on - retail etc.

Why do these people not have the dignity of their titles?

I agree with could start with dismantling the honours system and titles within the aristocracy.

I disagree that all people obtaining honours have done extraordinary things - for many careers it simply seems to be a matter of time - especially acting, politics, etc. These are almost always very privileged careers, full of nepotism and not widely open and also very well renumerated.

Why should we further enrich and ennoble those who already have more than enough?

Why would you get rid of Prince? I mean, Sign o' the Times is an absolute classic.

I would do away with the honours system. MBE is about the Empire! Totally outdated. Getting people who are experts appointed to a second parliamentary chamber is vital to hold the government to account, but no titles. Don’t care that much about hereditary titles as they are not in parliament. Lower level honours totally depend on your mates nominating you so many who deserve something, get nothing. It’s something of a joke and top police officers and civil servants always get something despite just doing their jobs and being paid well. Definitely get rid!

I’m keeping my Dr title, thanks. I worked 7 long years for it.

I am still pondering on the Dr title for medics - because that is a professional title rather than honorary but wouldn't use it for those with PHDs.

You can shove that. I earned my Ph.D. (Not PHD) and I will damn well use the title Dr as and when I please.

The BBC seems already to have abandoned the use of titles on its news website, so you have elderly ladies referred to as 'Jones'. It comes across as rude. You presumably wouldn't address an elderly person you didn't know just by their surname if you were speaking to them face to face.

Actually, the title Dr for a medic is an honorific title rather than an earned one. A PhD is an earned title so technically, if anyone should use it it’s those with a doctorate.

This.
I spent 7 years of my life working on my PhD. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m using Dr… I’ve earned it.

Presumably the OP has no title of note.

If only we could think of something else to call Prince…you know, if he (his estate) decided he didn’t want to be called Prince anymore.

Why should I speak to an elderly person in a different way to a young person?

Why should I speak to a rich person with more deference than a poor person.

It's back to masters and servants - servants get called their first or second names and masters get the titles.

It's all about deference and I think that's a negative thing.

@Orangejuiceisgood I'm not sure I can reproduce the ...... 'formerly known as Prince' symbol on my keyboard.

Eg I did one in engineering degree an PhD I’m a Dr and I’m using it!