Neighbor kid calls me by my first name — rude?

[Anonymous]

We have a 9-year-old neighbor who comes over to play with my kids sometimes. He’s very polite otherwise, but he always calls me “Sarah,” not “Miss Sarah” or “Mrs. [Last Name].”
I was raised to address adults with a title, especially if they’re not family. I haven’t said anything, but it bugs me a little every time. Is this just a generational thing, or should I gently correct him? What’s the etiquette these days?

[Anonymous]

I prefer the first name, having been raised in a hoity-toity family.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the situation. Are you poorer than her family?

[Anonymous]

I don’t mind. I have kids calling me by my first name, Ms. First Name or Mrs. Last Name. As long as they’re polite and well behaved it’s all good. I tell my kids to address adults by Mr/Ms. First Name unless they are asked to do otherwise.

[Anonymous]

You are the adult. You can say, please call me Mrs. Smith if that’s what you prefer.

[Anonymous]

I hate it too OP. It's grating. I correct them in a nice way.

[Anonymous]

I moved to the west coast and this is the norm in my city. It was hard to adapt to and I cared a lot for a while but I’m used to it now. I don’t care anymore and am not sure why I ever was bothered by it.

Maybe they’re from elsewhere? If it bothers you I agree that you need to give the kid another option for what to call you. They’re not going to read your mind.

[Anonymous]

I like to be called Mrs. Lastname. If that makes me an old stick-in-the-mud, so be it. I just kindly correct kids and let them know how I want to be addressed. No reason to be wishy washy or feel weird about it. It’s not mean to insist on titles, if it’s what you want.

[Anonymous]

Just kindly correct-“I go by Ms. Jen, larlo” (or Mrs smith.) he may have heard his parents mention you as Jen or go to Quaker school or something.

[Anonymous]

It is regional, not generational.

I cringe when someone calls me Miss First Name.

[Anonymous]

You churn about nonsense

[Anonymous]

You should have introduced yourself to him however you wanted to be called, and then he should call you that. If you never introduced yourself, then he’s not being rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I moved to the west coast and this is the norm in my city. It was hard to adapt to and I cared a lot for a while but I’m used to it now. I don’t care anymore and am not sure why I ever was bothered by it.

Maybe they’re from elsewhere? If it bothers you I agree that you need to give the kid another option for what to call you. They’re not going to read your mind.

I'm from the West Coast. This is normal for the West Coast. It's not a sign of rudeness. The kid isn't trying to bother you.

If you're in the DMV, however, most people do titles. It's fine to correct the kid and say something like "Most kids call me (preferred name). Can you call me (preferred name)."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I moved to the west coast and this is the norm in my city. It was hard to adapt to and I cared a lot for a while but I’m used to it now. I don’t care anymore and am not sure why I ever was bothered by it.

Maybe they’re from elsewhere? If it bothers you I agree that you need to give the kid another option for what to call you. They’re not going to read your mind.

I'm from the West Coast. This is normal for the West Coast. It's not a sign of rudeness. The kid isn't trying to bother you.

If you're in the DMV, however, most people do titles. It's fine to correct the kid and say something like "Most kids call me (preferred name). Can you call me (preferred name)."

*I replied with this to agree that it's likely regional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is regional, not generational.

I cringe when someone calls me Miss First Name.

Same. I see why - we need something between Mrs Lastname and just the first name, but this compromise isn’t it for me. I wasn’t raised in the south.