coach addressing ref by first name

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

So you're one of these "I'm Mr. So-and-So" guys? I always like working with them so I can follow up with "and I'm Rich."

I'm not as big into formalities, apparently.

I live in the South. And this area has the highest concentration of US military population in the world. Not a single official I've worked with has ever introduced themselves by just their first name. With the coaches we say First Name/Last Name or no name at all. With players it's "Mr. LastName".

It's just how it is. And why the feeling of satisfaction about saying "and I'm Rich"? Are you saying there is something wrong with your partners who say "Mr. so-and-so"?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I'm live in the South. And this area has the highest concentration of US military population in the world. Not a single official I've worked with has ever introduced themselves by just their first name. With the coaches we say First Name/Last Name or no name at all.

It's just how it is. What is so special about you saying "and I'm Rich". Are you saying there is something wrong with your partners who say "Mr. so-and-so"?

I find it stuffy. It's one step less silly to me than "We are your officials tonight." I'd rather not introduce myself at all that say I am "Mr. So-and-so."

So be it. I feel one can show respect without being formal.

I lived in the South for 4 years and never once introduced myself as Mr. Anything.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I find it stuffy. It's one step less silly to me than "We are your officials tonight." I'd rather not introduce myself at all that say I am "Mr. So-and-so."

So be it. I feel one can show respect without being formal.

I lived in the South for 4 years and never once introduced myself as Mr. Anything.

I'm one of the most easy-going referees you'll meet in your life. I grew up in California so I know everything there is to know about being informal.

This has nothing to do with being stuffy. I know parents who would pop their child in the head if they ever heard them address an adult by their first name. I often hear "Pardon me, Sir" from folks who are way older than me. On my father's side me, my brothers, and my cousins caught hell anytime we left off 'Uncle' or 'Aunt' when addressing our parents' siblings/in-laws.

I now work as a civilian on an Air Force base. On the 9-to-5 Mr/Miss/rank is expected. Away from work I insist my co-workers use my first name but there are quite a few who won't. We could be drunk together talking about sex and any sorts of debauchery and they still will put 'Mr.' in front of my name.

It's weird hearing my first name coming from a man. I did 22 years in the military. I'm used to my buddies just yelling out my last name by itself. I've had to train myself over the years to introduce myself by first name when meeting new people in social settings. Oh well, I digress.