quote:

ORIGINAL: Stephann

Growing up, my mom made it very clear to me that I should use Mister, Misses, or Miss for adults.  As an adult, I do my best to make use of titles, respectfully, when they are due.  I've had several interviews where an important person was introduced to me as "John" or "Mike" or "Dave" yet I persisted on using Mr Smith/Jones/Daniels, simply because I didn't feel there was a casual enough of a relationship to warrent a first name basis.

Yet, in the BDSM world (especially in an online format) I have a difficult time using titles of any sort, unless I absolutely feel they're warrented.

People who post as Master/Mistress, for me, I feel it's fine that they use that title for themselves.  But in speaking directly to them, I'm completely uncomfortable addressing them as Master John or Mistress Jane.  I feel while their title may have been earned in their circle, and they very well may be worthy of the title, I feel the implication is that I'm expected to defer to their status in some fashion.  Am I out of my gourd?

I'm certainly not above giving respect to those who have earned it.  I'm also completely comfortable with folks referring to me as Sir in correspondence (or even Master, from the odd slave who identifies as a kajira), should they feel it's warrented.  I expect both my slave and submissive to refer to me as Master and Sir, respectively, and I require my slave to refer to others in the lifestyle as Sir, Ma'am, or Miss unless otherwise instructed by the dominant in question.

Here's the real question; those who identify as dominants, and affix 'Master/Mistress/Miss" to your names, do you feel slighted when another dominant chooses not to address you as such?  For the s-types, do you feel compelled to use a stated titled?

Stephan

quote:

ORIGINAL: toservez

...  when I first started out in my career I got talked to by higher ups about trying to fit in more by not being so formal.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Stephann


Here's the real question; those who identify as dominants, and affix 'Master/Mistress/Miss" to your names, do you feel slighted when another dominant chooses not to address you as such?  For the s-types, do you feel compelled to use a stated titled?

Stephan