What do you do when your professor insists you call them by their first name?

Question

He insists we call him Jay not Dr._______ or Professor _______, and everyone does, but I feel really weird calling him Jay because I want to ask him for a recommendation letter and it seems like I would come across as unprofessional . Do teachers who insist on their students calling them by their first names really mean it, or do they expect students to call them Prof____ or Dr_____?

Answer 1

Call him what he wants to be called. How would you feel if someone called you something you specifically requested they didn't? It's possible he's not a dr. or a full professor. He's more likely to give you a better rec if you do as he asks you to.

Answer 2

I hate it when my colleagues do that, because they don't seem to realize how uncomfortable they make some students. Yes, if a faculty member asks students to call them by first name, they mean it. They usually aren't really comfortable being called by Prof. or Dr., or they think they come across as less of an authority figure if students call them by first name. Some also object to "unequal titles"; they call you Rob or Mary, while you call them Dr. or Prof. I understand that, but many students have been taught for years to show respect (especially those from other countries), and it is extremely embarrassing for them to have to call a professor by first name.

Answer 3

Just call him Jay, or when you talk to him, do not mention his name. Just say "Excuse me, but can you explain...." then it won't be an issue. If he is a TA or just became a professor, he probably doesn't want to be called Dr, MR, or Professor because that is something reserved for older people.

Answer 4

Call him Jay. I had a professor who actually got really mad whenever someone called her Dr. or Professor. If everyone refers to him as Jay and he obviously doesn't mind it, then just call him Jay.

Answer 5

I would call him Jay. If that's what he is comfortable with, then use it. But, if you are uneasy with it, call him Professor _____. If he says again to please call him Jay, then go with that. Some professors are like that. I had quite a few like that when I was in college. One of the best recommendation letters I received was from a professor who wanted us to use his first name. (It was a very professional letter, btw.)

Answer 6

Call the dude Jay. This is common practice in universities. He prob feels old when ppl call him by a more formal title.

Answer 7

My Professor does that also, but I will not call him by his first name. To me that seems to be so disrespectable. Just keep calling Professor, he will get use to it.

Answer 8

You should continue to pull his pants down and call him sir, Dr. Jay, or Professor Viagra. Oh was that not what this was about.sorry

Answer 9

My instuctors let me call them by their first name. They sort of want act like they are your friend and want you to feel comfortable. It is strange though.