July 3, 2010 10:53 PM PDT
Really never thought about it until now. I refer to all of my female clients by their first name. With the men, “Mister” is dictated by age.
The only time the “Mister” thing became an issue is when James Brown ("Soul Brother Number One," "the Godfather of Soul," "the Hardest Working Man in Show Business," "Mr. Dynamite") unexpectedly stepped into the room and I called him Mr. Brown. Another person referred to him as James, and he quickly set the fellow straight. .
.”It’s Mister Brown.” I suppose the moral there is, you cannot go wrong with “Mister.”
July 6, 2010 11:41 AM PDT
Fran, neat story!!! And I'm glad you brought up the gender issue; I tend to go the same way as you.
July 6, 2010 11:53 AM PDT
I am suspicious and sometimes even offended if someone I don't know addresses me by my first name. It's never offputting to be called Mr or Ms (Last Name).
Mileage may vary.
Share this page with your family and friends.