This discussion was a chuckle for me.  Shortly after I obtained my PhD
(variously referred to as having "piled it higher and deeper" than others;
or my Phuddy Duddy name! :-)  ), I encountered some MDs who insisted on
calling me by my first name in settings where I felt it was more
appropriate to use my professional title.  I found that returning the favor
by calling them THEIR first name STOPPED their presumption of familiarity
(by using my first name) when they wanted me to use THEIR title.  :-)

My own rule of thumb is, I use titles when sending reports to health care
providers (Dr., Ms, whatever) and first names when I know people socially
or in a colleagial setting.  Lactnet certainly qualifies as a collegial
setting.  As long as we are appropriately polite to one another, no need to
use titles, in my opinion.

How do the rest of you feel?

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"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly
disguised as impossible situations."
Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC (Ferndale, WA USA) [log in to unmask]
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