Do you introduce yourself as Dr. Smith when you have a PhD?

Answer 1

You can if you want to. I had a teacher in high school who went by Dr. instead of Mr. because he had a PhD in Education. It's really up to the individual.

Answer 2

Dr Smith was the evil guy on Lost in Space, I would want nothing to do with him myself even if I had a PHD.

Answer 3

A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, and is considered a higher degree than the M.D., or Medical Doctor, contrary to many people's beliefs. I work at a university, and when my boss first came here, he decreed that from that point forward, all faculty would be called Professor, Mr., or Ms, not Dr. He offended a lot of faculty who felt that their accomplishments were not being recognized that way (those instructors who do not have their doctorates have always been called Professor).

Answer 4

Depends on your audience. What aspects of your training/qualifications are you stressing? To whom? In the U.S. we often think of "doctors" as medical doctors and people sometimes think it's weird to call Ph.D.s doctors. These people are just unfamiliar with/ignorant of the way the system works. What you are dealing with when you ask this question in the U.S. is two different systems: academic vs. professional. The former usually includes the arts and sciences while the latter includes things like medicine, law, teaching, business, etc. It's not pompous at all for a Ph.D. to be called a Doctor. In fact, in same cases, especially in academic settings, it might be considered an insult. Why? A Ph.D. is a more advanced degree than an M.D. (medical doctor). A M.D. is a "first professional degree". In academic fields (like the arts and sciences) a Master's degree is a "first degree". That's not to say that an M.S. or M.A. is equivalent to an M.D. - they're not. But, an M.D./Ph.D., or someone who goes beyond the M.D. to add a Ph.D. for research purposes, etc., would be be a rough equivalent of an academic Ph.D. Rule of thumb: first degrees are intended to prepare people to practice in their field. Advanced degrees are intended to prepare people to go beyond that to do their own research or to teach others who will practice. The title "Professor" is even higher than "doctor". Technically, to be employed as an academic instructor at a university you MUST have a Ph.D. at a minimum (this will vary in by departments, especially in professional programs). Not all people who teach in colleges with Ph.D.s are "Professors" (only those w/tenure or tenure track can technically be called this). So, when someone is called a "doctor" in this environment it's not only redundant, it might also imply that they are rather low on the totem pole, so to speak (i.e. that they haven't received/cannot attain tenure or tenure track). This is not so much of an issue for students (who aren't expected to know better) but it can be subtle way for colleagues to insult one another. Bottom line: once you've attained the level of training that qualifies you to take on a title, it's totally your personal choice if you want to use it. To complicate matters, all of this varies from country to country. Wikipedia has got a nice explanation of the major European academic traditions.

Answer 5

I think it's also important to qualify the situation at hand. In professional situations, such as conferences, on the job, or anywhere that your academic qualifications are relevant, an introduction with Doctor is appropriate.

However, in a purely social situation, my personal feeling is that introducing yourself as Dr. would be a bit distasteful. However, if your professional life is long, distinguished, and defines you, then it might be appropriate.

Answer 6

Absolutely, after all that education, you deserve it. And a PhD entitles you to use Dr. in front of your name.

Answer 7

You should specify what kind of Doctor if not a medical doctor, otherwise its implied MD, if someone was injured or sick and you are called on, you will be sued as an MD.

Answer 8

Only if you are a pompous tool.

Answer 9

Only if you are a narcissistic, pretentious jerk.