Call the doctor — it’s titular overdose

[HeyThere13]

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...itular-overdose/2011/03/17/ABrjDF4_story.html

A man — let’s call him Steve Jones — called me at work the other day. He introduced himself as “Dr. Jones.” I can’t remember what we talked about, but it wasn’t medicine.

This got me thinking: Why did he make a point of saying he was Dr. Jones? Why not Mr. Jones? Or “Jones”? Or, come to think of it, “Steve”?

It’s because he wanted me to be impressed, wasn’t it?

Should I have been? I mean, I know doctors go to a lot of trouble to become doctors — all those classes, all those cadavers, all that memorizing the difference between a ventricle and a clavicle — but does that mean they’re entitled to remind everyone that they’re doctors, even in non-medical contexts? Are they expecting special treatment?

A friend once told me that when his father made restaurant reservations, he always did it under the name “Dr. Smith” on the off chance that it might get him a better table.

His father was a veterinarian.

Was that an abuse of his title?

It isn’t just doctors who do this sort of thing. I still remember a phone call I got not long after I started working at The Post, 22 years ago. I was an editor in the Weekend section at the time, and it was a Thursday. I mention the day because then, as now, Weekend was printed on Thursday mornings but didn’t get into readers’ hands until Friday. At the time, there was no fancy electronic way to know about upcoming events, but Weekend was a humming hive of knowledge, and anyone who worked there knew which street festivals were coming up, which plays and movies were opening, which concert tickets were going on sale, etc.

The phone rang: “This is Bethany from Congressman So-and-So’s office,” a woman said. “He has some constituents coming in and he wants to suggest some things for them to do while they’re here. Can you tell me what things are happening this weekend?”

A simple enough request. All it required of me was to flip through the next day’s Weekend, still warm and inky from the press, and read off a few events. And that’s what I did.

But I did it grudgingly. Something grated at me: Why did she have to say she was calling from a congressman’s office? Couldn’t she have just said she was calling for her boss? Or said that she had some friends coming into town and they needed some sightseeing ideas?

No, she said “Congressman” because she assumed it would grease the transaction. She wanted me to be impressed. She was fearful I wouldn’t have done it for a mere mortal, but once I heard that a congressman needed the information, I’d drop to my knees, tug at my forelock and blurt out the details of Glen Echo’s Puppetfest.

We Americans aren’t as obsessed with titles as some cultures. And maybe it’s just a Washington thing, where we like to highlight the little gradations of difference that separate us. Oh hello, General. Nice to meet you, Ambassador. How do you do, Cardinal?

I’m not denigrating people’s achievements. When I have to call academics — whether they be historians, biologists or physicists — if their Web bio says they have a PhD, I address them as “Doctor.” Same with medical doctors — if I’m talking to them about graft vs. host disease or psoriasis.

But if they’ve called to talk about their parking ticket or the Redskins, isn’t it kind of weird for them to introduce themselves as “Doctor”?

When they use a McDonald’s drive-through, do they lean into the speaker and say, “This is Dr. Johnson. I’d like a Big Mac and a strawberry shake — stat!”

Maybe physicians are taught to do this. Maybe they take a class their last semester in medical school called, “You’ve Got It, Flaunt It,” in which they’re taught how to act like a doctor: Keep your fingernails short and clean; learn to play golf; always refer to yourself as “Doctor.”

Can any doctors out there shine some light on this? Or, to put it in medical terms: Can any doctors insert a flexible endoscope and diagnose this condition?

And can any non-doctors, non-congressmen and non-generals give any examples of times they’ve seen this sort of titular overload in action?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...itular-overdose/2011/03/17/ABrjDF4_story.html

 

[ar2388]

wow.. kind of a crappy article IMHO..
and yes, in our society, if you are calling from a congressmans office or youre a doctor, then i think people do treat you a little differently than if oyu were a regular Joe working in mcdonalds asking for the same information...
and someone would call and say "hello this is mr. steve johns" well why cant a doctor call and start with "hell this is dr. steve johns" . that is his official title. he will be mr no longer.

 

[HeyThere13]

wow.. kind of a crappy article IMHO..
and yes, in our society, if you are calling from a congressmans office or youre a doctor, then i think people do treat you a little differently than if oyu were a regular Joe working in mcdonalds asking for the same information...
and someone would call and say "hello this is mr. steve johns" well why cant a doctor call and start with "hell this is dr. steve johns" . that is his official title. he will be mr no longer.

Ha ha! Yeah I just wanted to share it with everyone.

This has to be the most ridiculous statement --> "Maybe physicians are taught to do this. Maybe they take a class their last semester in medical school called, “You’ve Got It, Flaunt It,” in which they’re taught how to act like a doctor: Keep your fingernails short and clean; learn to play golf; always refer to yourself as “Doctor.”"

 

[xanthomondo]

Ha ha! Yeah I just wanted to share it with everyone.

This has to be the most ridiculous statement --> "Maybe physicians are taught to do this. Maybe they take a class their last semester in medical school called, “You’ve Got It, Flaunt It,” in which they’re taught how to act like a doctor: Keep your fingernails short and clean; learn to play golf; always refer to yourself as “Doctor.”"

I kind of read that was a sarcastic tone. But I could be wrong.

I agree with the author of that article. There's really no reason that you need to introduce yourself as doctor in non-medical/academic settings for any reason other than attention whoring. Are you going to make your kids' friends call you doctor as well?

 

[da8s0859q]

wow.. kind of a crappy article IMHO..
and yes, in our society, if you are calling from a congressmans office or youre a doctor, then i think people do treat you a little differently than if oyu were a regular Joe working in mcdonalds asking for the same information...
and someone would call and say "hello this is mr. steve johns" well why cant a doctor call and start with "hell this is dr. steve johns" . that is his official title. he will be mr no longer.

For sure. Title does matter -- and at least for me, I'll address them accordingly because I'd appreciate the same thing. Even so for things like traffic stops. If the state police pull me over, it's "trooper," not "officer." And if I can count the stripes on the guy's sleeve, it's "corporal" or "sergeant" if he is either.

I kind of read that was a sarcastic tone. But I could be wrong.

I agree with the author of that article. There's really no reason that you need to introduce yourself as doctor in non-medical/academic settings for any reason other than attention whoring. Are you going to make your kids' friends call you doctor as well?

What about people who sign or initial things with "MD" on their name? I've seen more than a few people do that sort of thing. Like the OP, HeyThere, signing "htmd" on short emails or whatever, even though they'll introduce themselves as "nice to meet ya, I'm Hey There."

 

[Smurfette]

Obviously, it depends on the person as to how much they want to 'advertise' their degree. It comes off as pompous in many situations depending on the context.

I avoid telling people my profession---IMO, it simply leads to awkward questions and comments.

As far as signing things with "MD" after your name, well, it happens. I sign "Smurfette, MD" all the time at work and it becomes automatic....so I find myself consciously having to think about NOT putting initials after my name when signing other paperwork. I've never accidentally added "MD" after my name on an email, though.

 

[ScronCron]

Meh, I don't think there's anything wrong with using a title to make life easier. People may accommodate you better when making a restaurant reservation if you say you're a doctor either out of respect or knowing that you're probably busier than most people. Mentioning that you're calling on behalf of the Congressman's office can be informative and might help to narrow what weekend events you would suggest. I would sometimes drop the name of my undergrad institution with clients in my previous job because it helped a great deal to gain credibility since I look very young and can be fairly soft-spoken. There's a difference between being manipulative and obnoxious and trying to get a little respect and attention.

 

[MDBound2015]

I saw the thread title and thought this was about Christina Hendricks. My mistake.

Carry on.

 

[ACSurgeon]

I kind of read that was a sarcastic tone. But I could be wrong.

I agree with the author of that article. There's really no reason that you need to introduce yourself as doctor in non-medical/academic settings for any reason other than attention whoring. Are you going to make your kids' friends call you doctor as well?

My guess is that most doctors do this out of habit. You spend 60 hrs a week introducing yourself as Dr so and so that it becomes second nature. I doubt many residents introduce themselves as Dr. So and so in public (most my residents felt funny when patients or students called them Dr.)

Also, as horrible as 'pulling rank' might be, it does happen. Doctors didn't start it, but I guess they contribute to the process. The fact is, you are likely to get better treatment if you are a respectable member of society, and being a professional makes people assume you're a good-doer.

We can talk all day about studies where callers inquiring about housing where denied when using an 'overtly black' name vs. when the same callers used a 'more standard' 'american' name. Can you really blame folks for using their accomplishments to make sure they at least get the deserved treatment?

 

[ACSurgeon]

Obviously, it depends on the person as to how much they want to 'advertise' their degree. It comes off as pompous in many situations depending on the context.

I avoid telling people my profession---IMO, it simply leads to awkward questions and comments.

As far as signing things with "MD" after your name, well, it happens. I sign "Smurfette, MD" all the time at work and it becomes automatic....so I find myself consciously having to think about NOT putting initials after my name when signing other paperwork. I've never accidentally added "MD" after my name on an email, though.

and I assume the same applied when introducing yourself as Dr. Smurfette in a non-medical context.

 

[ACSurgeon]

Meh, I don't think there's anything wrong with using a title to make life easier. People may accommodate you better when making a restaurant reservation if you say you're a doctor either out of respect or knowing that you're probably busier than most people. Mentioning that you're calling on behalf of the Congressman's office can be informative and might help to narrow what weekend events you would suggest. I would sometimes drop the name of my undergrad institution with clients in my previous job because it helped a great deal to gain credibility since I look very young and can be fairly soft-spoken. There's a difference between being manipulative and obnoxious and trying to get a little respect and attention.

And I'm not sure that's necessarily bad or wrong. Doctors are busier than your average Joe, and getting accommodated can help save time.

Also, respect is part of the profession (especially given the diminished financial gain). However, this is a a double-edged sword. When a doctor makes a mistake or commits a crime, all of a suden their title and where they went to medical school/residency becomes very relevant. We are held to higher standards than most other members of society, and getting some respect in return (for upholding higher values), is natural.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

I think for the first year after I graduate I will insist on the Dr. or ,MD for the mere reason that I have been in school for 21 years and want something to show for it besides a huge pile of debt and the internal knowledge that, in reality, I have still achieved absolutely nothing in the areas of life in which it matters most.

I will have my dad call me Dr. "insert childhood nickname" and you can be damned sure that my sister will have to refer to me as "Little Fart, MD" in her scarce e-mails.

Aside from half-jokingly, half-sulkily insisting on it for a while, I think I will restrict the use of such a title to my work world (after this initial phase). Remember, identifying yourself as a doctor not only comes with certain (questionable) perks, but also with the responsibilities. And if I end up in the specialty that I am thinking of now, rigging airplane electrical systems to shock someone back into sinus rhythm or performing emergency tracheotomies on Mr. or Mrs. Doe at the supermarket will not be in my expertise.

 

[cpants]

Especially in the healthcare world using the title can save you tons of time. I used to work in healthcare administration, and I wouldn't claim I was a doctor, but just the fact that I had a male voice often made people on the other end of the line assume I was. Can't tell you how many times I heard 'Thanks doctor' and got transferred right through instead of sitting on hold for 40 minutes with an insurance company. You got to know when to use it. Introducing yourself as Doctor in non-clinical settings is kinda douchey, but no more douchey than introducing yourself as Mister. It's kindof odd to introduce yourself to anyone over the age of like 17 without using your first and last name.

 

[ACSurgeon]

Especially in the healthcare world using the title can save you tons of time. I used to work in healthcare administration, and I wouldn't claim I was a doctor, but just the fact that I had a male voice often made people on the other end of the line assume I was. Can't tell you how many times I heard 'Thanks doctor' and got transferred right through instead of sitting on hold for 40 minutes with an insurance company. You got to know when to use it. Introducing yourself as Doctor in non-clinical settings is kinda douchey, but no more douchey than introducing yourself as Mister. It's kindof odd to introduce yourself to anyone over the age of like 17 without using your first and last name.

But then you wonder why almost every application/form/reservation you complete online gives you the option to chose a prefix/title from the list of "Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr." Why does a credit card company/landord/airline carrier care if someone is a doctor?

 

[cpants]

But then you wonder why almost every application/form/reservation you complete online gives you the option to chose a prefix/title from the list of "Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr." Why does a credit card company/landord/airline carrier care if someone is a doctor?

Because when they call you on the phone or write you mail they want to use the correct title. They won't give you any special service for it.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

Because when they call you on the phone or write you mail they want to use the correct title. They won't give you any special service for it.

I do believe that in the general population's mind, maybe even in the considerations of the account manager that ponders your loan/credit application, there is a difference between Dr. Doe and Mr. Doe.

Same reason why landlords around my medschool will give you a lower security deposit or even discount rent for medical students.

Whether justified or not, the title (still) commands a certain respect and inspires a certain sense of trustworthiness.

 

[ACSurgeon]

Because when they call you on the phone or write you mail they want to use the correct title. They won't give you any special service for it.

Which is why Mr., Mrs., Ms. is fine, but why is Dr. (and other titles) usually included. I'm just saying the society doesn't think doctors should only be called doctors in medical settings, and by analogy, I don't see the harm in a 50 year old doctor making a restaurant reservation under the name Dr. Smith instead of John.

Now, a 26 year old doctor in June is a different story 🙄

 

[cpants]

I do believe that in the general population's mind, maybe even in the considerations of the account manager that ponders your loan/credit application, there is a difference between Dr. Doe and Mr. Doe.

Same reason why landlords around my medschool will give you a lower security deposit or even discount rent for medical students.

Whether justified or not, the title (still) commands a certain respect and inspires a certain sense of trustworthiness.

Well of course it does. Especially in the business, finance world it can mean something. They know doctors have money, and they want the business. Doctors are more creditworthy even above and beyond their high income. They are less likely to default on loans. That's why those doctor mortgages are available.

Which is why Mr., Mrs., Ms. is fine, but why is Dr. (and other titles) usually included. I'm just saying the society doesn't think doctors should only be called doctors in medical settings, and by analogy, I don't see the harm in a 50 year old doctor making a restaurant reservation under the name Dr. Smith instead of John.

Now, a 26 year old doctor in June is a different story 🙄

Dr. is your title. You should be called it in medical settings and any setting where a person is addressing you by your formal title. A restaurant reservation can usually be made in your first name only. Obviously there is no harm. Really who cares? As someone who has taken reservations at a restaurant though, I would probably roll my eyes and make a wiseass remark to a coworker if someone pulled that. "Oooo DOCTOR Smith is coming, better roll out the red carpet." Certainly the guy wouldn't be getting a special table.

 

[ACSurgeon]

Well of course it does. Especially in the business, finance world it can mean something. They know doctors have money, and they want the business. Doctors are more creditworthy even above and beyond their high income. They are less likely to default on loans. That's why those doctor mortgages are available.



Dr. is your title. You should be called it in medical settings and any setting where a person is addressing you by your formal title. A restaurant reservation can usually be made in your first name only. Obviously there is no harm. Really who cares? As someone who has taken reservations at a restaurant though, I would probably roll my eyes and make a wiseass remark to a coworker if someone pulled that. "Oooo DOCTOR Smith is coming, better roll out the red carpet." Certainly the guy wouldn't be getting a special table.

Keep in mind that you are very different than your average restaurant employee. You've had healthcare experiences and then attended medical school. You might even have doctors in your family. The average joe, who doesn't know any doctor on a personal level, might react very differently.

We've really beaten this to death. I should be spending my time off doing better things.

 

[lockjaw]

Dr. is your title. You should be called it in medical settings and any setting where a person is addressing you by your formal title.

Exactly. Doctor is your legal title. Just like a woman who gets married is now legally "Mrs." rather than "Miss," someone who earns an MD/DVM/DDS/PhD/etc. is now legally "Dr." Is anyone offended by someone who is married asking to go by her legal title of Mrs. rather than Miss? It's basically the same thing from a title standpoint.

 

[xanthomondo]

For sure. Title does matter -- and at least for me, I'll address them accordingly because I'd appreciate the same thing. Even so for things like traffic stops. If the state police pull me over, it's "trooper," not "officer." And if I can count the stripes on the guy's sleeve, it's "corporal" or "sergeant" if he is either.



What about people who sign or initial things with "MD" on their name? I've seen more than a few people do that sort of thing. Like the OP, HeyThere, signing "htmd" on short emails or whatever, even though they'll introduce themselves as "nice to meet ya, I'm Hey There."

Signing MD or Dr outside of the healthcare-related arena? Just as attention whoring as making people call you Dr.

Meh, I don't think there's anything wrong with using a title to make life easier. People may accommodate you better when making a restaurant reservation if you say you're a doctor either out of respect or knowing that you're probably busier than most people. Mentioning that you're calling on behalf of the Congressman's office can be informative and might help to narrow what weekend events you would suggest. I would sometimes drop the name of my undergrad institution with clients in my previous job because it helped a great deal to gain credibility since I look very young and can be fairly soft-spoken. There's a difference between being manipulative and obnoxious and trying to get a little respect and attention.

Yeah, thats exactly why some people run around playing the Dr card, they want attention. It doesn't usually get you respect, though. You have to earn respect with people through your actions/manners.

My guess is that most doctors do this out of habit. You spend 60 hrs a week introducing yourself as Dr so and so that it becomes second nature. I doubt many residents introduce themselves as Dr. So and so in public (most my residents felt funny when patients or students called them Dr.)

Also, as horrible as 'pulling rank' might be, it does happen. Doctors didn't start it, but I guess they contribute to the process. The fact is, you are likely to get better treatment if you are a respectable member of society, and being a professional makes people assume you're a good-doer.

We can talk all day about studies where callers inquiring about housing where denied when using an 'overtly black' name vs. when the same callers used a 'more standard' 'american' name. Can you really blame folks for using their accomplishments to make sure they at least get the deserved treatment?

I'm curious to what you think the "deserved treatment" is. Is this treatment that is beyond what the average Joe deserves? Or you just think that you should be pulling the Dr card so that you get an advantage/preferential treatment to the average joes.

Especially in the healthcare world using the title can save you tons of time. I used to work in healthcare administration, and I wouldn't claim I was a doctor, but just the fact that I had a male voice often made people on the other end of the line assume I was. Can't tell you how many times I heard 'Thanks doctor' and got transferred right through instead of sitting on hold for 40 minutes with an insurance company. You got to know when to use it. Introducing yourself as Doctor in non-clinical settings is kinda douchey, but no more douchey than introducing yourself as Mister. It's kindof odd to introduce yourself to anyone over the age of like 17 without using your first and last name.

You're in the healthscare world, it's absolutely appropriate to refer to yourself as Dr (if you are) - and as a Dr you deserve to not be waiting on the phone for an hour if you have patient-related issues to take care of.

But then you wonder why almost every application/form/reservation you complete online gives you the option to chose a prefix/title from the list of "Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr." Why does a credit card company/landord/airline carrier care if someone is a doctor?

They're walking on eggshells in terms of people's sensitivies to not being referred to as Dr. They want everyone's business; they don't want to lose money just because they didn't refer to someone by their *correct* title.

Well of course it does. Especially in the business, finance world it can mean something. They know doctors have money, and they want the business. Doctors are more creditworthy even above and beyond their high income. They are less likely to default on loans. That's why those doctor mortgages are available.

Dr. is your title. You should be called it in medical settings and any setting where a person is addressing you by your formal title. A restaurant reservation can usually be made in your first name only. Obviously there is no harm. Really who cares? As someone who has taken reservations at a restaurant though, I would probably roll my eyes and make a wiseass remark to a coworker if someone pulled that. "Oooo DOCTOR Smith is coming, better roll out the red carpet." Certainly the guy wouldn't be getting a special table.

Yeah, I agree. During Ugrad I used to work at a golf course, and this one guy ALWAYS made it known that he was, in fact, a *real live doctor.* He never got any special treatment, rather everyone just thought he was a tool.

Exactly. Doctor is your legal title. Just like a woman who gets married is now legally "Mrs." rather than "Miss," someone who earns an MD/DVM/DDS/PhD/etc. is now legally "Dr." Is anyone offended by someone who is married asking to go by her legal title of Mrs. rather than Miss? It's basically the same thing from a title standpoint.

It's not really the same. How often are you referred to now or do you refer people as "Mr/Mrs Smith" outside of the professional world. I really can't think of a time where I was called "Mr Xantho" other than in the hospital/clinic. Maybe I'm not visiting fancy enough restaurants, but no one refers to me with my last name.

Here's a question, if someone did call you Mr ______ outside of the healthcare/academic setting, would you correct them? I would probably just say "Call me John" instead.

 

[lockjaw]

It's not really the same. How often are you referred to now or do you refer people as "Mr/Mrs Smith" outside of the professional world. I really can't think of a time where I was called "Mr Xantho" other than in the hospital/clinic. Maybe I'm not visiting fancy enough restaurants, but no one refers to me with my last name.

Here's a question, if someone did call you Mr ______ outside of the healthcare/academic setting, would you correct them? I would probably just say "Call me John" instead.

I feel like I actually hear Title/Lastname fairly frequently outside of the professional world. Maybe people just tend to be more formal around here? I'm honestly not sure.

I always prefer to go by my first name, but when people do call me by my title, I'd like it to be the correct one (not Mrs. for instance, since I'm not married). That certainly doesn't mean I'm going to go out of my way to correct those who use the wrong title, it just means that when there's the option to choose a check box next to my name, I'm going to select Dr. and not Ms., because Dr. will be my correct title. If I'm in a formal setting where I'm not on a first-name basis with whomever I'm meeting with, then it'll be Dr. Lockjaw, not Ms. Lockjaw, because that's my correct title. It's not a matter of ego to me, it's a matter of correctness. But I feel like most of the time I will try to go by my first name, so hopefully it won't be much of an issue.

 

[cbrons]

Wait... People use their status in order to get preferential treatment?

 

[gracie369]

I OD on titulars every weekend.

 

[hemoglobincell]

It is INCORRECT to be called "Mr." once you have earned your M.D. You are, and forever will be, "Dr.", no matter the circumstance. Now, whether or not you choose to use a title is at the person's discretion, but if you wanted to be humble and say Mr. soandso, you would have stated your title incorrectly.

 

[ADORE]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...itular-overdose/2011/03/17/ABrjDF4_story.html

A man — let's call him Steve Jones — called me at work the other day. He introduced himself as "Dr. Jones." I can't remember what we talked about, but it wasn't medicine.

This got me thinking: Why did he make a point of saying he was Dr. Jones? Why not Mr. Jones? Or "Jones"? Or, come to think of it, "Steve"?

It's because he wanted me to be impressed, wasn't it?

Should I have been? I mean, I know doctors go to a lot of trouble to become doctors — all those classes, all those cadavers, all that memorizing the difference between a ventricle and a clavicle — but does that mean they're entitled to remind everyone that they're doctors, even in non-medical contexts? Are they expecting special treatment?

A friend once told me that when his father made restaurant reservations, he always did it under the name "Dr. Smith" on the off chance that it might get him a better table.

His father was a veterinarian.

Was that an abuse of his title?

It isn't just doctors who do this sort of thing. I still remember a phone call I got not long after I started working at The Post, 22 years ago. I was an editor in the Weekend section at the time, and it was a Thursday. I mention the day because then, as now, Weekend was printed on Thursday mornings but didn't get into readers' hands until Friday. At the time, there was no fancy electronic way to know about upcoming events, but Weekend was a humming hive of knowledge, and anyone who worked there knew which street festivals were coming up, which plays and movies were opening, which concert tickets were going on sale, etc.

The phone rang: "This is Bethany from Congressman So-and-So's office," a woman said. "He has some constituents coming in and he wants to suggest some things for them to do while they're here. Can you tell me what things are happening this weekend?"

A simple enough request. All it required of me was to flip through the next day's Weekend, still warm and inky from the press, and read off a few events. And that's what I did.

But I did it grudgingly. Something grated at me: Why did she have to say she was calling from a congressman's office? Couldn't she have just said she was calling for her boss? Or said that she had some friends coming into town and they needed some sightseeing ideas?

No, she said "Congressman" because she assumed it would grease the transaction. She wanted me to be impressed. She was fearful I wouldn't have done it for a mere mortal, but once I heard that a congressman needed the information, I'd drop to my knees, tug at my forelock and blurt out the details of Glen Echo's Puppetfest.

We Americans aren't as obsessed with titles as some cultures. And maybe it's just a Washington thing, where we like to highlight the little gradations of difference that separate us. Oh hello, General. Nice to meet you, Ambassador. How do you do, Cardinal?

I'm not denigrating people's achievements. When I have to call academics — whether they be historians, biologists or physicists — if their Web bio says they have a PhD, I address them as "Doctor." Same with medical doctors — if I'm talking to them about graft vs. host disease or psoriasis.

But if they've called to talk about their parking ticket or the Redskins, isn't it kind of weird for them to introduce themselves as "Doctor"?

When they use a McDonald's drive-through, do they lean into the speaker and say, "This is Dr. Johnson. I'd like a Big Mac and a strawberry shake — stat!"

Maybe physicians are taught to do this. Maybe they take a class their last semester in medical school called, "You've Got It, Flaunt It," in which they're taught how to act like a doctor: Keep your fingernails short and clean; learn to play golf; always refer to yourself as "Doctor."

Can any doctors out there shine some light on this? Or, to put it in medical terms: Can any doctors insert a flexible endoscope and diagnose this condition?

And can any non-doctors, non-congressmen and non-generals give any examples of times they've seen this sort of titular overload in action?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...itular-overdose/2011/03/17/ABrjDF4_story.html

This is silly. Who spends time complaining about how other people introduce themselves? I believe the author is insecure.

 

[45408]

Obviously, it depends on the person as to how much they want to 'advertise' their degree. It comes off as pompous in many situations depending on the context.

I avoid telling people my profession---IMO, it simply leads to awkward questions and comments.

As far as signing things with "MD" after your name, well, it happens. I sign "Smurfette, MD" all the time at work and it becomes automatic....so I find myself consciously having to think about NOT putting initials after my name when signing other paperwork. I've never accidentally added "MD" after my name on an email, though.

I have to stop myself from adding MD when I sign a credit card receipt or check. We're supposed to sign all of our notes and orders at the hospital with our title, so that's what I'm used to.

 

[mTOR]

I kind of read that was a sarcastic tone. But I could be wrong.

I agree with the author of that article. There's really no reason that you need to introduce yourself as doctor in non-medical/academic settings for any reason other than attention whoring. Are you going to make your kids' friends call you doctor as well?

👍

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

It is INCORRECT to be called "Mr." once you have earned your M.D. You are, and forever will be, "Dr.", no matter the circumstance. Now, whether or not you choose to use a title is at the person's discretion, but if you wanted to be humble and say Mr. soandso, you would have stated your title incorrectly.

This makes absolutely no sense. I can call myself whatever I want outside of work.

 

[Yope]

This makes absolutely no sense. I can call myself whatever I want outside of work.

It could be that MD is obligatory because it indicates that someone belongs to the physician class (using that term very loosely). For instance a physician is bound by patient confidentiality, or if a physician is on call, he or she is bound by law to respond. Or if a teenage neighbor of yours seeks advice for pregnancy/birth control, you cease to be the neighbor and go into doctor mode.

Granted this is a very strict and lofty interpretation of the title, but I can see why "Dr." or "MD" is necessary.

 

[lockjaw]

This makes absolutely no sense. I can call myself whatever I want outside of work.

Of course you can call yourself whatever you want. It's not uncommon for a married female physician to go by her maiden name at work since that's what her patients know her as, but go by her married name in her personal life - but only one of those options can be her legal name. That doesn't mean she can't call herself whatever she wants for convenience. So same thing - Dr. will be your only legal title, but that doesn't mean you can't choose to call yourself whatever you want in your personal life.

 

[cbrons]

[YOUTUBE]f0CprVYsG0k[/YOUTUBE]

 

[ACSurgeon]

Of course you can call yourself whatever you want. It's not uncommon for a married female physician to go by her maiden name at work since that's what her patients know her as, but go by her married name in her personal life - but only one of those options can be her legal name. That doesn't mean she can't call herself whatever she wants for convenience. So same thing - Dr. will be your only legal title, but that doesn't mean you can't choose to call yourself whatever you want in your personal life.

Not sure where you get this from. Evidence?

 

[xanthomondo]

It could be that MD is obligatory because it indicates that someone belongs to the physician class (using that term very loosely). For instance a physician is bound by patient confidentiality, or if a physician is on call, he or she is bound by law to respond. Or if a teenage neighbor of yours seeks advice for pregnancy/birth control, you cease to be the neighbor and go into doctor mode.

Granted this is a very strict and lofty interpretation of the title, but I can see why "Dr." or "MD" is necessary.

😕😕

"I'd like to make a dinner reservation for 2 for Dr. Xantho. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I cannot reserve a table by my first name since I'm bounded by patient confidentiality and the obligation to respond to an emergency at the hospital if I'm on call."

😕😕

As for giving your teenage neighbor birth control/pregnancy options you would be absolutely asking for it to do so (assuming it's behind the parents' back). Tell her where to go and leave it at that (no MD required!)

 

[xanthomondo]

[YOUTUBE]f0CprVYsG0k[/YOUTUBE]

Yeah, and tell me she doesn't look like a stuck up bitch....AND she's even in her own professional setting!

 

[HeyThere13]

Yeah, and tell me she doesn't look like a stuck up bitch....AND she's even in her own professional setting!

Lol! Def right about that one....

 

[Yope]

😕😕

"I'd like to make a dinner reservation for 2 for Dr. Xantho. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I cannot reserve a table by my first name since I'm bounded by patient confidentiality and the obligation to respond to an emergency at the hospital if I'm on call."

😕😕

As for giving your teenage neighbor birth control/pregnancy options you would be absolutely asking for it to do so (assuming it's behind the parents' back). Tell her where to go and leave it at that (no MD required!)

Obviously I didn't mean that one should let what I said get to your head. I just think that the MD designation, if looked at in terms of the Hippocratic oath and other such ethical codes, makes sense. So going by "Dr." isn't terribly pompous IMO as long as one isn't obnoxious about it.

And as for the teenager example I just meant that regardless of what you do (treat or whatever), when you advise her (even to go to talk to her parents or seek another physician), you are doing so in a professional capacity.

 

[Yope]

Yeah, and tell me she doesn't look like a stuck up bitch....AND she's even in her own professional setting!

Perhaps he was being disrespectful and she was taken out of context? Probably unlikely.

To fuss about it like that is excessive, but to introduce yourself or expect to be referred to as "Senator" I think is reasonable.

 

[da8s0859q]

Perhaps he was being disrespectful and she was taken out of context? Probably unlikely.

To fuss about it like that is excessive, but to introduce yourself or expect to be referred to as "Senator" I think is reasonable.

Perfectly reasonable, but she also had a brigadier general addressing her as ma'am, which is pretty customary in the military as far as I understand it.

And outside the military, too -- "Nice to meet you, Senator. Blahblahblah. Yes ma'am."

 

[cbrons]

Perhaps he was being disrespectful and she was taken out of context? Probably unlikely.

To fuss about it like that is excessive, but to introduce yourself or expect to be referred to as "Senator" I think is reasonable.

No, she was telling a battle-hardened war general with a life's worth of dedication to the military to not call her ma'am but call her Senator because she "worked so hard for that name" - worked so hard? you hear? you'd think she just finished 8 years of school just to get that title. Just shows you the mindset of a gov't elitist.

 

[hemoglobincell]

This makes absolutely no sense. I can call myself whatever I want outside of work.

If you are a doctor (M.D., DDS, PhD, etc) and call yourself "Mr.", you have stated incorrectly. Sure, you can say Mr., but you will be wrong. End of story.

 

[Smurfette]

If you are a doctor (M.D., DDS, PhD, etc) and call yourself "Mr.", you have stated incorrectly. Sure, you can say Mr., but you will be wrong. End of story.

Actually, no.

Surgeons elsewhere (UK is main example) are referred to as Mr./Mrs./Ms. and NOT as Dr. This is due to the origins of surgeons being barbers by trade.

 

[Helen Wheels]

When they use a McDonald’s drive-through, do they lean into the speaker and say, “This is Dr. Johnson. I’d like a Big Mac and a strawberry shake — stat!”

🤣

 

[Yope]

Actually, no.

Surgeons elsewhere (UK is main example) are referred to as Mr./Mrs./Ms. and NOT as Dr. This is due to the origins of surgeons being barbers by trade.

Does that apply only to MBBS (or whatever the equivalent degree)? I assume a commonwealth MD would be addressed "dr"

 

[cbrons]

when they use a mcdonald’s drive-through, do they lean into the speaker and say, “this is dr. Johnson. I’d like a big mac and a strawberry shake — stat!”

lol

 

[bomgd3]

If you are a doctor (M.D., DDS, PhD, etc) and call yourself "Mr.", you have stated incorrectly. Sure, you can say Mr., but you will be wrong. End of story.

lolwut? So you're saying JD's should also refer to themselves as doctors?

 

[KeyzerSoze]

I kind of read that was a sarcastic tone. But I could be wrong.

I agree with the author of that article. There's really no reason that you need to introduce yourself as doctor in non-medical/academic settings for any reason other than attention whoring. Are you going to make your kids' friends call you doctor as well?

I think a lot of people are looking at this from the wrong point of view. It's not an issue of attention-whoring or douchebaggery, it's a cultural issue. When I was a kid I called my friends' parents by their titles and last names. (Most of the doctors were PhDs, not MDs.) If you're going to address someone by their title and last name, you might as well use the right title.

 

[TOcho118]

 

[Perrotfish]

Perfectly reasonable, but she also had a brigadier general addressing her as ma'am, which is pretty customary in the military as far as I understand it.."

Yes, 'ma'am' is the female equivalent of 'sir', it's a way to address anyone of a higher rank.

 

[DrKnowLittle]

I used to be so embarrassed by my dad when I would introduce him to my friends in middle and high school. They would call him Mr. X and he would correct them by saying, Dr. X. I thought it was the most pretentious and douchebag thing he could ever do. I got him to change his ways eventually.

On the other hand, having that title has its downsides (ie. litigation) so it might as well have an upside. If having Dr. in front of my name helps me get a better loan or a quicker seat at a table then so be it. I'm not out to flaunt it, but I'm not going to be ashamed of having worked this hard to finally get an MD at the end of my name and Dr at the beginning of it.