- Calling Names

[meboriqua at aol.com]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "Ebony AKA AngieJ" <ebonyink at h...> wrote:

> I do not yet know whether or not I'll teach my children to 
> say "ma'am" or "sir".> 
and 
> One thing I do know.  My children will know about nuances of 
respect, even if I don't teach them via title.>

See, that's what I think it is all about.  My parents are rather 
informal people.  My father used to own a large and successful company 
(which went bankrupt a few years back, but that's a long story) and 
EVERYONE called him Jon, from his partner to the security guards to 
the receptionists.  They might have feared him (his voice can carry 
like nobody's business), but they all called him Jon.  

My parents never really made a big deal about titles, but they did 
teach my sister and me respect.  Amanda and I were not the kids who 
got into trouble at school for cursing at a teacher.  We didn't always 
do our homework, but we never disrespected our teachers.  I never 
disrespected my parents, really, either.  The worst thing I said to my 
mom as a child was probably "Be quiet!", and let me tell you, we grew 
up in a town where children are still so vile around their parents, it 
is shocking.  

Here in NYC, my students show me respect in ways other than Ma'am-ing 
me.  They'll say "Oh, excuse me, Miss!" after cursing up a storm in my 
presence, which they won't do around teachers they don't like.  
They'll defend me at all costs if a problem arises, and they'll yell 
at each other to "Shut the f*** up! Miss Lastname is trying talk!" 
when I am trying to get their attention during a particularly heated 
discussion.  It may sound strange, but considering how rude, loud, 
obnoxious and disrespectful these kids can be, I have it great with 
them!

--jenny from ravenclaw, who has a filthy mouth herself, but never ever 
ever ever around her students ****************