I admit to a certain prickliness (some would emphasize the first syllable in describing this particular aspect of my personality) regarding academic titles. I also admit to a usual sloth when it comes to defending the same (save when it involves medical doctors), except while I am on the job. Now, I've earned a doctorate (probably in stupidity for gettin' the damn thing in the first place) and here in sunny California where I reside such things are not held to much esteem unless you are counseling Hollywood b-listers (hey, that's funny) about sex addiction. This is even more the case at the university which employees me, where most of my colleagues have adopted a studied (yep, that was deliberate) nonchalance about titles. They encourage students to call them by their christian name, which is bad enough (insert that first syllable here), but it torques me to no end when students use my first name even after I patiently discuss my hailing preference (Dr.) in the syllabus and during the first class. I have even been called a fascist by a colleague (only partially in jest) for wearing a tie.
Remember, Woody Allen famously said that the only advantage to California is that right turns on red are permitted.
In my experience, I have no issue with those who want to be addressed by their title. My problem is with those faculty who, when addressed in a way they don't appreciate, are jerks about it instead of civilly expressing their preference, of which we have more than a few.
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