Calling a Ph.D "Doctor"

[Anonymous]

Ugh. She is insecure.

-- signed, another PhD

[Anonymous]

This is insane and ppl like this drive me nuts. When we got married, we sent DHs brother and SIL the invitation (both PhDs) addressed to Mr and Mrs. They returned the envelope with the mr and Mrs crossed out and replaced with "Drs." Needless to say, we aren't close.

[Anonymous]

Using proper protocol is a big deal in the Federal government.

Are you a government employee/contractor?

[Anonymous]

As George Herbert Walker Bush scoffed about "Dr." Henry Kissinger, "The fu*#er doesn't make house calls, does he?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What entails respect? Earning potential or the ability to excel/specialize in a field/ area of interest ? Acquiring a Phd reqyuires perseverance and passion for knowledge. I think that deserves respect. Being hung up on titles is a whole another thing

OP here. I'm a lawyer involved in litigation and am trying to get documents from her. I'm not saying a PhD is worthless by any stretch.

Is this person being recognized as an expert for your litigation?

FWIW, I am a PhD doctor in the agriculture field and am referred to as such in professional associations, speaking engagements, and on campus.

[Anonymous]

I am a PhD. The only time I use my title is when I am trying to show expertise. And then, I will usually sign it Larlo Larloman, Ph.D.

When I was working on a Gov't Facility, people use the titles more. But, I think it was because my customer liked to brag about how many PhD's he had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:someone posted this same issue last month. do a search in the archives. yes, people with PhDs have the right to be called doctor. but it's common to address colleagues by their first name, so you're not in the wrong.

They have the right to be called doctor, I guess, but I have the right to call them by their name.

An MD has the right to laugh at a PhD who wants to be called Dr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:someone posted this same issue last month. do a search in the archives. yes, people with PhDs have the right to be called doctor. but it's common to address colleagues by their first name, so you're not in the wrong.

They have the right to be called doctor, I guess, but I have the right to call them by their name.

An MD has the right to laugh at a PhD who wants to be called Dr.

And most PhDs will chuckle to themselves that MDs are so insecure that they need to keep Dr. for themselves only.

OP, I'm confused by your first post, because it's just so odd. She told you to call her Dr. Smith while addressing you by your first name...when presumably you address her by her first name in person? That's seriously nuts. What I'm wondering is if she meant that you shoudl address her as Dr. Smith when listing out your references or whatever professional capacity in which you are reaching out to her (I can't tell if you want her as a professional reference or some kind of legal expert). If you are talking about her in a professional capacity, then it is completely reasonable to present her to others as Dr. Smith. But I would never tell someone who addresses me by my first name in person to call me Dr. DCUM in writing...that's just weird.

-- PhD

[Anonymous]

Unless she was referring to how her name was presented in a document or something, that seems like incredibly insecure and rude behavior.

[Anonymous]

PhDs who insist on being called 'Dr' like OP's colleague are the butt of endless jokes.

Signed,
Another PhD

[Anonymous]

Spouse has a PhD and has worked at two government agencies in scientific positions. Everyone at both places is on a first name basis, with the exception of very formal situations like giving Congressional testimony or receiving a scientific award.

[Anonymous]

Op here. It had nothing to do with her work at all when she asked me to call her doctor. She was upset I referred to her by her first name.

When I first started working my boss had me call her "Ms. Smith," but I noticed that older women and male coworker's were allowed to call her Larla. It was just something rude she would do to younger women. A power play.

I'm going to find out what her phd is in. I get the feeling it's not in her field of expertise.

[Anonymous]

I think this is heavily driven by norms in different fields. I have a PhD, and in professional settings people usually (but not always) refer to me as Dr. When I saw patients (I'm a trained as a clinical psychologist), they typically did; if a child patient, they sometimes call me Dr. Larla. None of my close colleagues referred to me as Dr.

I currently work in a research setting. When addressing colleagues who work outside of my organization for the first time, I always start emails with "Dear Dr.," whether they're an MD, PhD, or some other type of doctoral degree (ScD, etc.). After the first email or two, we all usually transition to first names.

I've never, ever corrected someone who referred to me by my first name. That does seem a little atypical, and I'd be taken aback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sent an email to a coworker and addressed her as "Larla." She wrote me a reply to my email (addressed me by my first name) and told me to address her as "Dr. Smith."

Is this crazy or normal? I don't know what her degree is in, but we work in an engineering field. I'm asking for future reference. I do work with a lot of people with doctorates and advanced degrees, but haven't ever had anyone rebuke me before when I called them by their first name. No one else goes solely by their last name at work.

Ugh, so annoying.
I would default to calling them Mr whatever or by first name unless they specify. In this case sounds like you need her help with a job reference so Dr. XYZ it is!
FWIW, in most countries the Dr. bit is saved for medical doctors, but may be used in very academic settings between superiors and subordinates or when discussing published papers.

[Anonymous]

Lmao what an egotist. Who goes out of their way to "remind" someone of their title? Clown.