Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Warranty

Dan,
On this side of the pond it is more usual to refer to people by their full name - either Mr Whitworth or Tim Whitworth, using the surname only is usually only used when one is criticising or being intentionally disrespectful. I reckon it is one of the reasons the two sides of the Atlantic are divided by the same language!!!!!

Also, even though some of the contributors are moderators, the statement "case closed" is just a wish to see it closed, I strongly doubt it was an instruction -- that isn't the usual form of this site!!

You'll get used to us -- we are generally happy to be criticised and argued with - we don't take offence and usually don't intend any either!! It is VERY unusual that a moderator issues instructions!

Welcome to the forum and I hope you'll make many contributions, Regards from Ireland!

Cheers!

Mr Dan,

Re moderating please note my question mark and don't jump to incorrect assumptions. If I were moderating or felt anything needed amending I would have closed the thread or edited accordingly and stated so. So please don't go down that age old route utilized by one other (?) person well known round here.

I have every right to post as an individual.

As for Richard/Tim Whitworth we are indeed talking about the same person, I inadvertantly referred to an old work colleague instead of Tim Whitworth.

As for first or last name, calling someone by their last name this, certainly comes across as rude to me, I am open to others opinion however and thus my question again.

God you remind me of someone

At my sons school (boys only) the boys only call each other by their surnames, first names are hardly ever used. It's not seen as rude in this little corner of England.

Regarding warranty work, I was speaking from my own experience and dealings with MMC, regarding my comments on the change in warranty wording I was expressing an opinion.

I went to boarding school very close to where you are Neil, and we too only called each other by surname. But that's just it, it's schoolboy, its impersonal and has a connotation. Wouldn't dream of doing it now, even to those same friends; not unless I was being cheeky or condescending or in jest.

I can understand maybe our friends over the pond do it differently; like so many other things.

With respect Neil, when I went to school only the teachers called the boys by their surnames, amongst ourselves nicknames were the norm and I ain't going to tell you what mine was (I guess Andy's was Boshly so he got off light!).

For me callling grown-ups by their surname is rude, but then maybe I'm a throw back!

P.S. Posted before I saw Bosher's post, but then I went to boarding school too

I agree with Boshers on this. As a lawyer ( both practising and academic,) I tend to move in circles where the form of address is vital and often prescribed by professional rules

As another ex boardng school 'old boy' I also have a real dislike of the surname only syndrome. I always found this condescending and lacking in respect. As a university professor, I tend to to be very formal and always address my students as Mr Mrs Ms or whatever their preferred label is. OK it might be archaic but that' what I' feel compfortable with.It's very simple really, I want respect from them so I have to give them respect in return

I take the point about the American language and usage ( who will ever forget George Walker Bush and 'yoh Blair!) and it does show that we are all different.
As to moderation, if anybody can testify to the fact that the moderators on this site have not only a light touch but an excellent sense of fairness, it's me!!
regards
G

Robbie,

It's confusing for sure. A google search shows British newspapers refering to important people by their last names only. Nobility is also often called by surnames. Are these other exceptions?

If I refer to Mr. Richard Whitworth as Whitworth I am thought rude and disrespectful. But if I call the UK Prime Minister, Cameron and the heir to throne, Cambridge, then I am safe as if they were my school pals.

You are right. We are divided by the same language. Is there a catchall used that does not anger people?

Dan

If you referred to Prince William as "Cambridge" I think it would not be viewed as appropriate -- "The Duke of Cambridge" is what you should use!!

Best to use either a title or First and Surname together -- then you will not be wrong.

R

That is 'cos we love you G