Sir and Ma'am or Sir and Miss?

When I taught in quite a "progressive" school 27 years ago where the students (never pupils!) used first names I was variously called Soutra, Mrs. **., Miss and "mum" by the intake year!

I don't like the first name trend in hospitals now either Charley and even less what passes as a uniform. Every one now wearing the same garb of tops and trousers, it's almost impossible to tell who is the porter and who is the doctor!

When I was nursing, patients looking for a nurse could look at my uniform and name badge 'Nurse Agus' or by my cap eg! 1st, 2nd or 3rd year student nurse, staff nurse etc. now though, no one is clear on anyone's position on the ward.

Nothing at all to do with your question I know bags but along the same 'vein' re titles

Agus, I so agree! When I was in hospital last year, an older lady who I took to be an auxillary or assistant nurse (blue top and trousers, like most of the other staff) got into conversation with some of us patients.

She said she'd been nursing for 40-odd years and missed the old uniform of starched uniforms, caps and those waist-cinching belts with the impressive buckles!

(which she used to wear, should have added!)

One of my first ante natal visits to Queen Mary's, Roehampton where I had 3 of pur children, was a lrsson in identifying ( and addressing)) student nursrs/ staff nurses/ ward sisters and....matron! As I remember the colour of the uniform (pale or dark blue) tights (black or skin) and degree of fanciness of cap featured and we were to call them- nurse/sister /matron or maybe your majesty". These were of course all fine details we would bear inind when in the throes of labour!

Oh I forgot belts and silver buckles too! The student nurses were training at the Westminster and were all very "debbie" and sweet. They would turn up at the crack of dawn to start their shift immaculately made up too!

But you surely knew who your midwife was Soutra

Darling daughter was called Ma'am at the school she was teaching at.(it was in Cheltenham, but not that school)

Don't like being called by first name when a patient! Particularly as I never use the full form myself.

Goodness knows who my midwife was - certainly no one I'd ever met before...

It was always 'Miss' in class, though Miss, Mrs or Mr if they were identifying a specific teacher. Occasionally the odd 'Mum' slipped out, but when one accidentally called me 'Nan' then I knew it was time to quit!

Some gentleman from Vodafone asked if he could call me by my first name. He sounded young enough to be a grandson and seemed surprised when I told him he could call me Mrs M....

agus first time round I didn't know who my DH was! Thereafter elective sections so pblivipus to everything but you still had to get "rank and title" right when back on the ward after. They were lovely though!!

Fat finger syndrome - oblivious

Did women have designated midwives in the 70s/80s? Not round here they didn't!

I remember when DD1 was born in hospital, my parents visited during the 24 hours I was there.
DD1 was fretful and my mother picked her up. Someone in uniform came in and snapped 'put that baby down now, we don't encourage that'! Mother meekly replied 'Yes, Sister' and put DD1 back into the cot under the woman's disapproving glare. When she had gone I said 'she's the nursing auxiliary, pick the baby up when you want'.

Soutra . I have to say though, I never new of any obligation to get 'rank and title' correct!

Did your Maternity Unit not have midwives Ana? We did and in our unit it was the midwife who assisted and stayed with you during birth.

When I worked in a small cottage hospital we all rose when Matron entered the dining room - including the doctors and intoned 'good afternoon Matron' in unison and resumed our seats once she had placed hers on the chair . How times have changed......

Come to think of it, mcem is right. I was not addressed as 'Miss' in Scottish schools, though in one rough school where I took a 'remedial' class on my final teaching practice, I seem to remember being addressed as 'Missus'!

In the school I went to, and in DCs' school (both in Scotland) it was always Miss/Mrs/Mr/Dr X and never Miss or Sir. However, I have just asked DH, who also went to a state school in Scotland and they used Sir and Miss! Don't fancy that, but better than first names.

Agus, I have no idea! I was admitted at around 8 pm, was given an enema and left mostly on my own (apart from then-DH) and had DD around 11 pm. I don't remember whether the nurse who actually delivered my baby said she was a midwife - I'm sure there must have been some on duty, but it was a busy bank holiday weekend...

Well Ana I can only relay my own experience and what was the norm here when I gave birth. 3 hours and I'm thinking lucky you! First time round for me was 22 hours.

Re school titles. Scottish schools for both DH and I and our teachers were never addressed as Miss or Sir.

I was only recounting my own experience as well, Agus - and yes, I know I was lucky...

I don't recall ever calling my teachers anything other than Mr X, Miss or Mrs X, and that was in the north of England.

No, I didn't have a dedicated midwife in the early 70s. It wasn't normal practice in those days, though there may have been some exceptions. My mother was a practising midwife at that time.

My personal feeling is that if first names are used, as in other professions eg nursing and medicine, familiarity breeds contempt.

I agree with that in most professional situations. I once had a surgeon who, when he rang, or wrote to, me, would either say 'This is John' or sign his letters 'John'. I don't want to be on first name terms with someone that I might need to tell off at some point! It makes it harder once that line has been crossed. I prefer professional distance (if that makes sense) including in the classroom.

I taught adults and although I would always introduce myself to a new class as Mrs XX XXXX, they'd still call me Miss lol (and some of the women were older than I was).