Is it normal?

[mitchlucker]

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Is it normal for doctors, dentists, etc to put their title after their name on ordinary things?

I was at work (server in a restaurant) and someone paid with their credit card and it had the initials MD after their last name. IE- On the card it said XXX YYYY MD

I hadn't seen something like this before, but I haven't run into too many doctors/dentists/lawyers while working, either.

Did this person go out of their way to do it? Or is it pretty common to do stuff like this? Updating credit cards, billing address, etc. Seems kind of silly which is why I'm wondering.

Didn't want to concern the med forums for a question like this, just seeing if anyone here knows.

 

[Morzh]

It is traditional for people to put their official titles on formal things like mailing labels, checks, wedding invitations, etc.

Like "Dr. and Mrs. Bob Jones, MD" or whatever. A credit card is kinda weird though.

I imagine this will vary greatly based on an individual's level of "traditionalism".

 

[MegMurry]

Is it normal for doctors, dentists, etc to put their title after their name on ordinary things?

I was at work (server in a restaurant) and someone paid with their credit card and it had the initials MD after their last name. IE- On the card it said XXX YYYY MD

I hadn't seen something like this before, but I haven't run into too many doctors/dentists/lawyers while working, either.

Did this person go out of their way to do it? Or is it pretty common to do stuff like this? Updating credit cards, billing address, etc. Seems kind of silly which is why I'm wondering.

Didn't want to concern the med forums for a question like this, just seeing if anyone here knows.

my gut reaction: that is one of the most pretentious things i have ever heard.

I'm trying to sympathize. they have worked this hard for this degree and earned the right to utilize it however/whenever they want. Maybe this person was a first year med student, newly graduated, a little overly excited....but honestly, i still don't think any of these scenarios would excuse signing MD next to your name on a restaurant receipt. that's as bad as standing up and introducing yourself as so-and-so, MD.

I've seen other people make fun of e-mail addresses with MD in them, and I was at a wedding when I was younger where ~90% of the people in the program (bride, groom, bridesmaids, etc) were MDs and listed it next to their names on the program. unnecessary. use the title where it's relevant.

 

[simondimond]

Putting MD on a credit card seems a bit over the top but mail should be addressed as Dr. XXXXXXX M.D.

I wouldn't sign a receipt at a restaurant or store with MD either.

Anything professional should be signed with MD after it.

 

[Morzh]

I will say I was at a wedding when I was younger where everyone on the program (bride, groom, bridesmaids, etc) was an MD and they listed it next to their names on the program. unnecessary.

Again, traditionalism. It's a hard concept for our generation to comprehend, I know. To the previous generation, and many of those in ours, it's just a matter of formality, not arrogance.

 

[LizzyM]

Mail should be addressed to

Dr. Xss Sss NOT Dr. Xss Sss, MD

on the other hand, one does not use one's honorific (Dr., Mr., Rev. etc) in signing one's name but uses the degree, if relevant (e.g. in business correspondence). One would not sign a thank you letter to Granny, Jxx Jxx, MD.

I do think it is tacky to place degrees after the names of the bride, groom ,etc in a wedding program. If you would ordinarily use Mr. or Ms. or Miss or Mrs. then use Dr. but don't be spreading MD, DO, DDS, PhD, etc all over social correspondence, that is just not classy.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Again, traditionalism. It's a hard concept for our generation to comprehend, I know. To the previous generation, and many of those in ours, it's just a matter of formality, not arrogance.

I agree. You put your title on everything sixty years ago. I think this is just a matter of personal preference. I don't think you should assume just because someone likes writing M.D. after their name that they are pretentious.

 

[MegMurry]

Again, traditionalism. It's a hard concept for our generation to comprehend, I know. To the previous generation, and many of those in ours, it's just a matter of formality, not arrogance.

no, I do get that. and I respect it. I'm part of the cliche of having parents as docs. I've also worked with a ton of docs. I've seen the MD on the checks, etc. but never a signature. and full disclosure...the wedding was less than a decade ago. I've been to other MD's weddings and I've never seen that before or since. I understand they've earned the right to use the title however they wish. I just think that things like that, receipts, etc...seems a little excessive.

 

[tiedyeddog]

no, I do get that. and I respect it. I'm part of the cliche of having parents as docs. I've also worked with a ton of docs. I've seen the MD on the checks, etc. but never a signature. and full disclosure...the wedding was less than a decade ago. I've been to other MD's weddings and I've never seen that before or since. I understand they've earned the right to use the title however they wish. I just think that things like that, receipts, etc...seems a little excessive.

My dad always signs m.d. after his name, everytime he signs anything. He graduated from medical school over forty years ago. We have spoken about it before and he has told me that in his generation that is what everyone used to do. Just a matter of personal preference.

However, he has "Dr." As his title on formal announcements, like on wedding stuff. He never signs Dr.

 

[Morzh]

no, I do get that. and I respect it. I'm part of the cliche of having parents as docs. I've also worked with a ton of docs. I've seen the MD on the checks, etc. but never a signature. and full disclosure...the wedding was less than a decade ago. I've been to other MD's weddings and I've never seen that before or since. I understand they've earned the right to use the title however they wish. I just think that things like that, receipts, etc...seems a little excessive.

Agree.

I'm just pointing out that I've seen many of old people with things like "Col Rtd Old Army Doc, MD" on their mailing labels--and they are the nicest, most humble, classiest people you've ever met.

Signing it on receipts or using formalisms in a non-formal setting is weird, I agree. But maybe it didn't used to be.

Popular (2011) classy-ness is sometimes different from traditional classy-ness.

 

[Sesom]

I would be so proud i'd probably get a tat of MD on my forehead.

 

[giantswing]

I saw it on a driver's license while working in college, as in "Jane Smith MD". Thought that was strange, like it was part of a legal name.

 

[YH5]

NM

didn't read op all the way through.

 

[loljkttyl]

FYI: When I just signed up for a new credit card, there was a drop down menu that gives you the option to put various titles after your name, one of them being an MD. So it's not like people are writing in "MD" after their name in the name field on a credit card application, but rather people are feeling compelled to chose something from the drop down menu of online credit card applications instead of leaving it blank.

 

[orthomyxo]

You kidding me? It's been my lifelong dream to see Chops369, M.D. emblazoned in shiny gold plastic!

 

[Morsetlis]

Mail should be addressed to

Dr. Xss Sss NOT Dr. Xss Sss, MD

on the other hand, one does not use one's honorific (Dr., Mr., Rev. etc) in signing one's name but uses the degree, if relevant (e.g. in business correspondence). One would not sign a thank you letter to Granny, Jxx Jxx, MD.

I do think it is tacky to place degrees after the names of the bride, groom ,etc in a wedding program. If you would ordinarily use Mr. or Ms. or Miss or Mrs. then use Dr. but don't be spreading MD, DO, DDS, PhD, etc all over social correspondence, that is just not classy.

But what about a credit card? 😀

 

[Morsetlis]

I would be so proud i'd probably get a tat of MD on my forehead.

And don't forget a caduceus tattoo on your back.

 

[Sutton]

Actually, I have seen more DNPs writing 'doctor' on like EVERYTHING. LOL

 

[Sesom]

And don't forget a caduceus tattoo on your back.

Yes but with graboids climbing up it instead of snakes.

 

[Brachyury]

Just to clarify (and LizzyM kind of got it), it's either Dr. Jane Doe or Jane Doe, M.D. you NEVER use both, i.e. Dr. Jane Doe M.D.

 

[Political]

Yeah my parents are docs too and they have "MD" on their credit cards as well but not "Dr", its not really pretentious as much as it is custom

 

[Myuu]

And don't forget a caduceus tattoo on your back.

MD on the forehead and the wrong symbol on the back? How embarrassing!

 

[Sesom]

MD on the forehead and the wrong symbol on the back? How embarrassing!

it's not embarassing! it's normal!

 

[kami333]

You kidding me? It's been my lifelong dream to see Chops369, M.D. emblazoned in shiny gold plastic!

You should aim for having it in titanium, everyone has a gold card these days.

 

[mitchlucker]

Yeah my parents are docs too and they have "MD" on their credit cards as well but not "Dr", its not really pretentious as much as it is custom

The man I was talking about seemed older, like he could have been retired. Seems like it's a generation sort of thing.

 

[StudyShy]

I occasionally do slip up at write XXXXXX, RN. This is only because I write it so frequently at work that I do it without thinking about it. I know other people who do this by mistake. On about half of my sign-ins for daycare, I have written RN after my name. I can't wait until I'm a doctor and can write like a squiggly mark, and that would count as my signature. This will all be moot pretty soon here in January when EVERYTHING is totally digital. My electronic signature is already made, and I will not have to write my stupid name 500 times a shift.

 

[zma21]

And don't forget a caduceus tattoo on your back.

There's a kid at my school with a caduceus tattoo. I think he got it his freshman year of college.

Did I mention he's a tool?

 

[Myuu]

There's a kid at my school with a caduceus tattoo. I think he got it his freshman year of college.

Did I mention he's a tool?

Now, if he were a smart tool, he would've gotten a rod of asclepius tattoo. But that's probably expecting too much...

 

[zma21]

Now, if he were a smart tool, he would've gotten a rod of asclepius tattoo. But that's probably expecting too much...

Well, he's so intelligent that he got the caduceus wrong. Seriously.

He's the type that I would imagine him lifting up his shirt and showing the interviewer. "He's just that committed."

 

[wololololololo]

I also see many ERDOC12 license plates at my hospital. Only ER docs do this though.

 

[Myuu]

I also see many ERDOC12 license plates at my hospital. Only ER docs do this though.

...Shouldn't there really only be one of those?

 

[wololololololo]

Different numbers, using MD. Inside joke? I dunno

 

[Winged Scapula]

RE: Credit Cards

It depends on whether its a business card or personal one.

My personal cards simply say, "Winged Scapula"

My business credit cards say, "Winged Scapula, MD PLLC" or "Winged Scapula, MD and <insert name of practice>" on the 2nd line and are used when I am having a business dinner.

I see no need to put my degree/credentials on my license plate, driver's license, personal accounts, social invites (although my friends and family consistently address personal stuff to me with "Dr" as my title. I've asked them not to, but they still persist. )