Only Three Subjects, Huntin', Gruntin', And Cave Painting ...
 

Many (not all) coaches at the high school that my kids attended, and participated in several sports, had their players address them by, "Coach Firstname", i.e., "Coach Bob". It was never just, "Firstname", it was always preceded by, "Coach". No way it would be like that when I went to high school back the mid twentieth century.

I guess what is acceptable varies in different parts of the country and varies among families. To each his own.

I don't take myself that seriously to where I need to be addressed as Mr. I do agree that teachers and coaches should be referred to as Mr. or Coach. As a referee I don't care. I also don't care in every day life if I am addressed as Mr.

I have to agree, but to each his own.

I think it varies depending on where you live. I doubt anybody has any doubt as to what you are seeing on a day to day basis.

I know where I live it's different.

I'm not bothered by it. I just find it hard to believe that you or anybody else feels like they are being disrespected when someone calls them by their first name. We, you and I both included, are not that important.

So if a child that hasn't learned what you deem to be "respect" and calls you by your first name, how do you react? I just don't see it as that big of a deal. None of us are that important and I don't need the ego boost.

Although in pre-game conf with team captains and coaches, I have introduced the crew by first names---during the game coaches and players have always called me "ref".
I'd be surprised if they even rem'berd my first name--let alone if they remembered anything at all that I told them in our 10 second pre-game conf.

+1. Coaches will address me by my first name, players have no clue really.

I would not...in a million, billion years (EVER) call someone petty who tried to teach their kids respect/discipline. Take a trip to your local courthouse. Excessive respect/discipline is not the problem.

I did not say anything about disrespected, I said it is disrespectful. There is kind of a difference and one that fits my values. I do not put children on the same level as adults. Just like when I was in school I called the professors, "Professor Johnson" as opposed to "Robert" who I might have known them by their first name because in some cases I knew them personally because of what my mom did. I always showed them respect for their position and did not cross that line.

Again, if you want to go around letting kids call you by your first name, go ahead. But as someone said I really do not have to think about these issues because it appears that other seem to feel the same way and do not call adults by their first names where I officiate. But again we have a lot of parents and adults that think they need to be the "friends" of children. But that is a bigger issue than this one we are discussing now.

Peace

Yup, my instincts were right. Same posts, different month.