As a former member of US Army, I am used to calling people by their last names, now I live in Britain, and people seem really offended by this, although they call each other really terrible names all the time and do not seem to take any offence. How doe you feel when addressed by your surname and why is it such a big deal over here?
2007-02-05 04:42:59 · 3 answers · asked by pliney the elder 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It might help to ask people individually what form of address they would prefer.
2007-02-06 10:35:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the UK, my understanding is that ppl use titles such as Mr, Mrs or Ms or Miss along with the surname, not just the family name alone. In the civilian world in the US, most ppl use either the first name alone or Mr. Smith, Mrs. Anderson, etc. Just follow convention whenever possible and you'll have fewer hassles.
2007-02-05 04:49:01 · answer #2 · answered by Santa C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's very rude - in times past, it washow masters would addressed servants, and the equivilant today is in armies.What they have in common is that it attempts to dehumanise the subordinate. Rude, rude, rude! How could you ever call someone, especially someone oyu don't know so well, by their surname?
2007-02-08 12:15:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋