Is it appropriate to ever call a professor by his/her first name?

2Xtreme21

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2004
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Let's say you walk into a moderate size class the first day, professor introduces himself as FirstName LastName. You walk up to him sometime during the year after class to ask a question-- do you address him as FirstName? Or play with the Mr. / Dr. / Professor ambiguation? (That is, not knowing if he is a Dr. and not referring to him as such, or vica versa).
 

akshatp

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
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It is appropriate... if you are banging him/her.

Otherwise use the proper title
 

2Xtreme21

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2004
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I'd think calling him Mr. instead of Dr. would be more insulting than calling him by his first name after he introduces himself as First Last.
 

silverpig

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
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What year are you in? Usually by your 3rd or 4th year they ask to be called by their first name.
 

chambersc

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Feb 11, 2005
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Always always always will I show the credit they've earned by addressing them as Dr./Professor.
 

Crimzon

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Nov 6, 2002
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Originally posted by: Ronstang
Not unless he tells you to. Why would you even have to ask this question?

Bingo. Use the title they earned (Professor, Dr, Mr/Mrs.) until he/she/it tell you otherwise.
 

Atlantean

Diamond Member
May 2, 2001
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I call all my profs by their first names. Though might not be as appropriate in large class sizes (classes of 100+) but when lower its perfectly fine and the teacher shouldn't have a problem with it unless he/she thinks he/she is special.
 

compnovice

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Jun 18, 2005
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I had a prof from Mid East (probably Jordan) whose name was Osama Abdallah... He asked everyone to adress him as Dr, Abdallah or Mr. Abdallah ... Yet there was this guy who always called him Osama...
 

uberman

Golden Member
Sep 15, 2006
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Never! Unless you sre instructed to specifically call them by their first name. It doesn't shock me that you would ask such a question though. Kids nowadays have no clue about what is proper decorum.

I have addressed a close friend as Dr. ====, in a mixed group. He advised me that my grade was going up.
 

PAB

Banned
Dec 4, 2002
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Depends on the class. The first day, my psych prof said "Dr Smith is my dad. Call me bill. Just Bill."
 

ScottyB

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2002
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Yes, but only if he is already called by his first name by other students (or if he asks to be called by it). I had a professor I had for two classes that I always referred to as "Bill." I also sat on a couch or leather chair in his office for class.
 

r6ashih

Senior member
May 29, 2003
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is the teacher tenured? if not, then they're not really a professor are they? just say "hey you!"
 

poopygood

Senior member
Apr 14, 2002
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Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
I'd think calling him Mr. instead of Dr. would be more insulting than calling him by his first name after he introduces himself as First Last.

Whoops!
 

SophalotJack

Banned
Jan 6, 2006
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no, call them by their title unless they give some sort of note that they don't mind being addressed in a different fashion.

professors wasted their lives becoming profs.... so they hold it dearly to their pathetic lives.
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
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Originally posted by: compnovice
I had a prof from Mid East (probably Jordan) whose name was Osama Abdallah... He asked everyone to adress him as Dr, Abdallah or Mr. Abdallah ... Yet there was this guy who always called him Osama...

I had a professor from, I think India. His last name was like 5 syllables. He asked us to just call him "Dr. K."
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
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Call them what they want to be called. Some are pricks and take offense if you don't give them the "Doctor" title they went to school for.