FA addressing pax by first name
Apr 1, 2018, 10:26 pm
#31
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Really?! Wow, I'm not even thirty yet and posts like this make me feel old. As children, adults were never addressed by first name when I was growing up, except some family (e.g. "Uncle First Name"). But I guess it just goes to show times change.. I've heard a growing number of sportscasters refer to players by first name as well, and I still find that jarring too.
Apr 1, 2018, 10:31 pm
#32
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For those who are not turned off by the informality....
Would it be different if you were on SQ?
How about on WN?
I would imagine that on SQ, you would have more of a visceral reaction than on WN because of the different expectations.
We once had that same expectation of UA and other legacy airlines. But that is going away.
At my place of work (a synagogue), people used to come for worship in very nice clothes. It doesn’t happen so much these days. But I still want to engender a culture of class and decorum. I think formality makes a difference. And it doesn’t have to be stuffy!
Would it be different if you were on SQ?
How about on WN?
I would imagine that on SQ, you would have more of a visceral reaction than on WN because of the different expectations.
We once had that same expectation of UA and other legacy airlines. But that is going away.
At my place of work (a synagogue), people used to come for worship in very nice clothes. It doesn’t happen so much these days. But I still want to engender a culture of class and decorum. I think formality makes a difference. And it doesn’t have to be stuffy!
Apr 1, 2018, 11:39 pm
#34
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: melbourne.au
Posts: 200
with all respect, it's posts like these that make those not from the US cringe - i can't believe you'd honestly get worked up over a service employee, by all assumptions taking care of you, dare call you by your given name. oh boy.
Apr 1, 2018, 11:50 pm
#35
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I was on a UAX flight from IAH today. Upgrade cleared. F/A taking drink orders after takeoff. She proceeds to call everyone by their first name. I find this highly unprofessional. I can not even imagine if a colleague of mine addresses one of our clients by their first name if they've never met before. It baffles me that the employee representing UA would utilize the manifest to address passengers by name yet not use Mr. or Ms./Mrs. accordingly. What do you guys think? Am I overreacting?
Apr 1, 2018, 11:50 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2007
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I am with phat-dave. Australia has been on a first name basis for decades now.
The master/ servant era is well and truly over.
The master/ servant era is well and truly over.
Last edited by grapegrower; Apr 1, 2018 at 11:55 pm Reason: typo
Apr 2, 2018, 12:05 am
#38
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FWIW - Calling your first name is still better than calling you sir/madam.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 2, 2018 at 1:01 am Reason: discuss the issue; not the poster(s)
Apr 2, 2018, 12:09 am
#39
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The one thing that does my head in is the use of a numeral after a surname like Thurston Howell 111 (the third)
Apr 2, 2018, 3:15 am
#41
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There's also a cultural aspect as well, I'm essentially from Europe and we still have the TV distinction so people are expected to use the formal you. When I address my American in-laws as Mr. and Mrs., they always correct me to address them with their first names, but ultimately that just feels weird.
Apr 2, 2018, 6:03 am
#42
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Just remember that in a lot of European Countries they call every professional degree by their designation. I was Engineer Stevo and thought it was downright weird.
You should be thanking yourself they don't call you .......! On a side note, I hate it when people call me by my last name. Reminds me of working onboard ships or gym class. .
You should be thanking yourself they don't call you .......! On a side note, I hate it when people call me by my last name. Reminds me of working onboard ships or gym class. .
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 2, 2018 at 3:02 pm Reason: removed deleted quote
Apr 2, 2018, 6:09 am
#43
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Interesting thread!
I grew up in Europe and work with Europeans the past 20 years as an American and I don’t think most Europeans would be offended with acknowledement of their first names in the situation described. I think this issue is not Europeans related.
My partner is a Doctor/PhD, and she strongly prefers strangers not calling her Dr., because her degree is her own accomplishment and not for recognition publicly. In fact, she is really annoyed when people introduce her as Dr. in a non-professional type of setting.
I grew up in Europe and work with Europeans the past 20 years as an American and I don’t think most Europeans would be offended with acknowledement of their first names in the situation described. I think this issue is not Europeans related.
My partner is a Doctor/PhD, and she strongly prefers strangers not calling her Dr., because her degree is her own accomplishment and not for recognition publicly. In fact, she is really annoyed when people introduce her as Dr. in a non-professional type of setting.
Apr 2, 2018, 6:28 am
#44
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Interesting thread!
My partner is a Doctor/PhD, and she strongly prefers strangers not calling her Dr., because her degree is her own accomplishment and not for recognition publicly. In fact, she is really annoyed when people introduce her as Dr. in a non-professional type of setting.
My partner is a Doctor/PhD, and she strongly prefers strangers not calling her Dr., because her degree is her own accomplishment and not for recognition publicly. In fact, she is really annoyed when people introduce her as Dr. in a non-professional type of setting.
Apr 2, 2018, 7:20 am
#45
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When I travel to Germany, I'm Herr Doktor Professor (or is it Herr Professor Doktor?) and they better not miss one of those!
My wife has a hyphenated name that is easily mangled by the FAs when they ask her for the dinner choice. She usually tells them that they did a good job (not really!) when saying her name but if they feel the need to call her again by her name, her first name is fine.
My wife has a hyphenated name that is easily mangled by the FAs when they ask her for the dinner choice. She usually tells them that they did a good job (not really!) when saying her name but if they feel the need to call her again by her name, her first name is fine.