# How does one choose which title to choose before their name? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 17, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884 "2008-01-17T17:15:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![filmyak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@filmyak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmyak)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/41 "2008-01-18T21:14:16Z")
[QUOTE=ChrisBooth12] I believe you are only supposed to pick one title to use… [/QUOTE] A friend of mine has a doctorate in some form of mathematics, and is also an ordained minister (via the internet, heh). He teaches high school math class, and got annoyed that the school principal was so insistent on correcting people and making them call him (the principal) Dr. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. (Mr. wasn’t acceptable.) So my friend now corrects the principal when the principal calls him Mr. \_\_\_\_\_. He says, “Actually, it’s reverend doctor \_\_\_\_\_\_\_”. (As my friend has won the state teacher of the year award and is an excellent teacher, he can get away with the cheekiness.) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/42 "2008-01-18T21:14:23Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] Yes, I do get it. [/quote] Apparently not. > [@](#): > > One of the ways to impersonate a psychologist (or medical doctor) is to call yourself “Dr” and not disabuse people of the notion that you are a psychologist or medical doctor. I have seen this enforced. I think in whatever cases you have seen there were _a lot more operative facts than what you have presented_. These facts constitute relevant circumstances that you must include in your statement about the law before it can come close to being correct. For example, this: > [@](#): > > by telling a psychotherapy client that he should be on Paxil rather than Prozac or > [@](#): > > by providing psychological services or > [@](#): > > if relevant Without such qualifications or similar level of detail, this statement – > [@](#): > > if you use “Dr” before your name and somebody thinks you’re a medical doctor or a psychologist and you don’t correct them, you may be subject to a fine for impersonating a member of a restricted profession. – is flatly untrue under the Oregon statute that you cited. It must be more than using the title “doctor” and failing to correct someone’s misunderstanding. _You must also be doing something that the state considers the practice of psychology or medicine_, for example, giving medical or psychological advice that someone then relies on. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/43 "2008-01-18T21:33:45Z")
[QUOTE=KneadToKnow] FWIW, I think people who use their own titles before their name are insufferable. Spefically I’m talking about people who sign internal memos “Dr. John Smith” or introduce themselves to people as “Dr. Smith” when there is no reason whatsoever to do so. He doesn’t know it, but the best thing my doctor ever did for our relationship was say to me when we first met, “Call me Pete.” [/QUOTE] As a general rule, I couldn’t agree more. OTOH, when my husband finally gets his goddamn dissertation completed and defended, I’m personally going to be calling his Ph.D. earning ass “Dr. \_\_\_\_”. When we have sex, I will scream, “Oh, Doctor! Doctor! **Doctor**!!!” so loud that the whole neighborhood will know he finally earned that fucking degree. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/44 "2008-01-18T21:58:33Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Are there still Imperial Majesties? 😕 Of course, my posting here is slightly ironic. [/QUOTE] Only the Emperor and Empress of Japan. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/45 "2008-01-18T22:19:01Z")
> [@](#): > > When we have sex, I will scream, “Oh, Doctor! Doctor! Doctor!!!” so loud that the whole neighborhood will know he finally earned that fucking degree. This goes back to my comment about appropriate context. If it’s a fucking degree that a person earns, then during sex is certainly an appropriate context to use the formal title. ---
**Author:** ![Grits\_and\_Hard\_Toast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Grits\_and\_Hard\_Toast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grits_and_Hard_Toast)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/46 "2008-01-18T22:35:04Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] Well you could always contact the Govenor of [Kentucky](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_colonel). [/QUOTE] Funny you mention that. Just last week I wrote to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. When they replied, they addressed me as Colonel Toast, which cracked me up. I hadn’t realized my being commissioned allowed me to use that title, but I guess it does. I can’t really think of any reason why I would though. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/47 "2008-01-18T22:41:39Z")
[QUOTE=Chronos] This goes back to my comment about appropriate context. If it’s a fucking degree that a person earns, then during sex is certainly an appropriate context to use the formal title. [/QUOTE] 😃 Well, it\* is \*Performance Studies. I don’t think they meant it quite like that, but he does have a book on his bookshelf called “Perform or Else!” ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/48 "2008-01-18T23:21:18Z")
[QUOTE=KneadToKnow] FWIW, I think people who use their own titles before their name are insufferable. Spefically I’m talking about people who sign internal memos “Dr. John Smith” or introduce themselves to people as “Dr. Smith” when there is no reason whatsoever to do so. He doesn’t know it, but the best thing my doctor ever did for our relationship was say to me when we first met, “Call me Pete.” [/QUOTE] You will all be please to know that the practise so also socially unacceptable. One never uses one’s own title, and only medical doctors [and particularly well-respected ministers] ever use the title ‘doctor’ socially. [U.S.] As for the J.D.: only people liscensed by the state can use the title or header ‘attorney’. “J.D.” only indicates the degree. So, some one who uses ‘J.D.’ has not yet passed the bar, or has been disbarred. So, no, lawyers don’t call themselves ‘Doctor’ [unless they have a Ph.D. and are teaching or testifying as an expert witness.] ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/49 "2008-01-18T23:26:10Z")
[QUOTE=j666] You will all be please to know that the practise so also socially unacceptable. One never uses one’s own title, and only medical doctors [and particularly well-respected ministers] ever use the title ‘doctor’ socially. [U.S.] As for the J.D.: only people liscensed by the state can use the title or header ‘attorney’. “J.D.” only indicates the degree. So, some one who uses ‘J.D.’ has not yet passed the bar, or has been disbarred. So, no, lawyers don’t call themselves ‘Doctor’ [unless they have a Ph.D. and are teaching or testifying as an expert witness.] [/QUOTE] So you just glossed over post#38? ETA: I agree it is not common and would probably be considered tacky by other lawyers but it is apparently done often enough that the ABA has issued an Opinion on the matter. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/50 "2008-01-19T01:20:54Z")
[QUOTE=askeptic] So you just glossed over post#38? [Originally Posted by ABA Opinion DR 2-102(F) permits the use by a lawyer of ‘an earned degree or title derived therefrom indicating his training in the law.’ This clearly **permits** the use of the term ‘Doctor’ by the holder of a J.D. degree] ETA: I agree it is not common and would probably be considered tacky by other lawyers but it is apparently done often enough that the ABA has issued an Opinion on the matter. [/QUOTE] No, I did not, and if you read my post [that would be #48], you will note that two different points are addressed. Lawyers do not use the title ‘doctor’, not because it is tacky or impermissable, but because it is the highest title a person who has a law degreee but _is **not** liscensed to practice law_ can use. Lawyers aren’t real keen on advertising they can’t practice. Plays hell on the fees. Lawyers use the title when they have another doctorate degree relevant to the current professional situation. Again, this is U.S. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2008, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/51 "2008-01-19T01:28:48Z")
Dr. j666, Esq. Attorney At Law That should cover all bases… ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2008, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/52 "2008-01-19T12:08:49Z")
I actually chose King of England,Smiter of the wicked and Emperor of All the Americas but had to pack it in because the Post Office never seemed to be able to deliver my mail to me …bastards! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/53 "2008-01-19T19:23:26Z")
[QUOTE=j666] Lawyers do not use the title ‘doctor’, not because it is tacky or impermissable, but because it is the highest title a person who has a law degreee but _is **not** liscensed to practice law_ can use. Lawyers aren’t real keen on advertising they can’t practice. Plays hell on the fees. [/QUOTE] I don’t know anyone among lawyers or non-lawyers who interpret the use of “doctor” by a lawyer to mean “I’m not licensed to practice.” Lawyers don’t call themselves “doctor” because they don’t know any other lawyers who call themselves “doctor” and they don’t want to stand out as doing something that might be considered odd or conceited. Most lawyers _do_ use “Esq.” because they see all the other lawyers around them using it. Furthermore, a law license is not a degree. Using a degree title says nothing about whether you hold a professional license. ---
**Author:** ![kdeus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b487fb/32.png) [@kdeus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kdeus)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/54 "2008-01-20T01:14:12Z")
I was a military lawyer for a few years. So I was entitled to use my rank as a title, and also “Esq.” or whatever other insufferable snooty lawyer term I wanted. My rule was: “Who is my audience/ why am I writing?” If I’m writing about generic military things, I’m **Lieutenant kdeus**. ``` If I'm doing lawyery things (and it is not already obvious I'm a lawyer) I'm **kdeus, Esq.** If I'm your military lawyer (and it is not already obvious blah, blah), I'm **Lieutenant kdeus, Esq.** If I'm not being a self-important prig, I'm just **kdeus**. ``` I can’t recall any lawyer ever using the titile “Dr.”, unless they possessed a separate PhD or MD. ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884/55 "2008-01-20T23:04:02Z")
In the UK it’s a curious fact that most medical “Doctors” don’t have a doctorate :dubious: For most of them their degree is MBChB - Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery - the “Doctor” is an honourary title. As a title to really let you know you’re at the top of the tree in science in the UK you need the double barrelled Professor Sir Massive Brain PhD - “call me Massive”. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-which-title-to-choose-before-their-name/433884.md?page=2)