Some profs actually prefer to be called by their first name instead of "Dr.[Last name]" or "Professor [Last name]" but even so, I'm reluctant to just address them by first name because I feel I'm being rude and offensive, though the profs themselves may not feel so. Is it something that you should just get used to? Calling profs by first name (no matter how close you and your profs are) is unacceptable in my native country, and it's hard to get away from my preformed habit and mentality.
It really is a slow news day...I was gonna post a thread entitled "OMG! my dog is dragging her anus on the floor! What gives?!?!" But better judgment prevailed...
i call many of my professors by their first name.... but thats cuz they request it. its different for certain professors. my major department only has 3 professors..... everyone knows everyone and they request to be caled by their first name.... you get used to it.
Ultimately, unless they explicitly request that you NOT call them Dr. or Professor whatever, you can keep calling them by that title if it makes you more comfortable. Many teachers request that you use their first name, but there are few who are actually going to be bothered if you don't or change their judgment of you if you do so. But as some other people have said, it might be a good idea to try to transition because it is very common that people make that request. And why not appease them if it's not troublesome, right?
I think it is all up to the professor. So professors who prefer to be called "Tommy" probably don't take offended when they are called "Professor Lee Jones". Mine don't seem to care, but when I send emails I address them Dr. XX
If you wanted someone to call by your first name and they didnt would it bug you?....proceed accordingly
I always called my professors "Dude". Even my women professors, I would just say, "Dude", when I bumped into them on campus. So I think "Dude" is fine.
I feel uncomfortable with it too. It took about 3 months of research and him telling me it was ok to call a prof. by his first name. He is british and insists they all do it over there.
I kinda know what you mean. In the lab I work at, everyone calls each other by first name, even the PIs. I don't really feel comfortable calling the PI by his first name, or any of the Dr. XXX's really, so I just use Dr. The PI even signs his e-mails with his first name. Until he expicitly says to stop saying Dr., I'll keep doing it. I hope that made sense. It probably doesn't, but it works out in my head.
I had two really cool professors during my four years in college that wanted to be called by their first names. The two of them were also the most approachable professors that I've had. Everyone called them by their first name, so it was WEIRD if you didn't. be happy that your professor is trying to make himself approchable to his students and just get use to it!
I only call them by last name (Dr. Prof. etc) except one teacher- the teacher for my volleyball class is young and is getting her masters this week. I call her by her first name but I also play volleyball with her in intramurals and in a competitive league. So the relationship is more friends than teacher/student (I talked to her on her cell today lol)... there is one other faculty member on my intramural team and i call him by his first name as well but he has never been my teacher.
Well, growing up in the south I'm accustomed to calling everyone by their last name,... probably not as weird as being from a different country, but close.... But yeah, I think in most places if someone asks you to call them something its mildly rude not to follow their requests (I actually looked this up in etiquette manuals, losing a bet in college because I too thought it was just plain weird to use first names in a professional context). However if you find yourself slipping repeatedly just apoligize and explain how you used to only using last names, no big deal.
I call them "Professor" because I don't even want to attempt to pronounce or even bother remembering their last name. (Especially the foreign ones. which just about make up 99% of the faculty) Just a smile and a "hi Professor" and maybe a profanity or two under my breath after he walks past me, if he's lucky.
