# You have an MD or a PhD. Do you make people call you "Doctor" in social settings? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798 "2012-09-15T16:50:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/101 "2014-05-09T11:10:13Z")
100 posts, and nobody quoted [Doctor Evil’s answer.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8rBDOMLtSU) The Straight Dope is slipping. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/102 "2014-05-09T11:41:18Z")
I work with doctors all day, every day (manager at an eye clinic). Without exception, they introduce themselves to patients by their first name. I always call them “Dr. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_,” but when they call me on the phone, they’ll just say, “Hey, this is [Phil], would you mind…” to the point that it takes me a second to realize it’s Dr. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ on the other end of the line. And these guys are _surgeons_, one of the more notoriously arrogant specialties. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/103 "2014-05-09T13:32:45Z")
> [@adrsz88](#): > > I do have a Ph.D, and yes, I demand others address me as doctor. And why shouldn’t I? Don’t many of you other Ph.Ds drive nicer cars than everyone else? Don’t we make more money and live in bigger homes with beautiful spouses, and aren’t our children better educated than those masses who shop at Wal-mart? Buying a Mercades and wearing expensive wristwatches are subconscious desires to distinguish ourselves from others who are less privileged and cannot afford to do the same. > > Is it wrong to buy a car that cost more than an ordinary citizen makes in four years? Is it wrong to buy a suit that costs more than a normal citizen makes in a month? Although its difficult to admit, the fact is anyone with a Ph.D obtained one to earn more money / elevate their social standing. > > It’s in our human nature to categorize ourselves and stand out against competitors. If two children are riding bicycles at a skate park, don’t they compete to find out who the better stuntman is? Adults do it too, but because of arrogance and fear of egotism, they would rather hide their accomplishments rather than boast about them. If you have a higher education than 95% of the citizens, why should that accomplishment be omitted? I believe too many of you choose to express your accomplishments in subtle ways, ( by buying unnecessary things) but do not follow through through with your ideology that you are more privileged than others (by insisting to be called doctor). > > Refusing to be called doctor is just an arrogant, self-presevering attempt to fit in with others who you mistakingly wish to identify with. Gaining acceptance from these people is a subconscious wish to avoid the same fate as Socrates. Insist to be called doctor. Don’t be ashamed of who you’ve become. You sound like a really fun guy to hang out with. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/104 "2014-05-09T13:49:46Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > I work with doctors all day, every day (manager at an eye clinic). Without exception, they introduce themselves to patients by their first name. I always call them “Dr. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_,” but when they call me on the phone, they’ll just say, “Hey, this is [Phil], would you mind…” to the point that it takes me a second to realize it’s Dr. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ on the other end of the line. > > And these guys are _surgeons_, one of the more notoriously arrogant specialties. 😃 In Britain, surgeons generally _prefer_ to be known as Mr. (or Mrs., Ms., or even maybe Miss, I guess), and that is the title used professionally, in the hospital. No way do they want to be mistaken for mere physicians. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/105 "2014-05-09T14:04:51Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > …there are things that a doctor can do to/for a patient that non-doctors can’t. … On the other hand, there are things that [non doctors](http://www.sevencreations.net/VibKits/810QG-BX-L.jpg) can do . . . . 😃 Incidentally, I have Ph.D. and I would never expect anyone to address me as “Doctor” except in certain formal academic circumstances. I sometimes like to fantasize that if someone were being very snotty and condescending to me, I would insist that they address me as “Doctor”, but that has never really arisen. ---
**Author:** ![ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisUsernameIsForbidden)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/106 "2014-05-09T15:08:00Z")
I prefer middle honorifics. That’s John whackadoodle em until they die Smith to you! ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/107 "2014-05-09T15:08:58Z")
> [@adrsz88](#): > > I do have a Ph.D, and yes, I demand others address me as doctor. And why shouldn’t I? Don’t many of you other Ph.Ds drive nicer cars than everyone else? Don’t we make more money and live in bigger homes with beautiful spouses, and aren’t our children better educated than those masses who shop at Wal-mart? Buying a Mercades and wearing expensive wristwatches are subconscious desires to distinguish ourselves from others who are less privileged and cannot afford to do the same. > > Is it wrong to buy a car that cost more than an ordinary citizen makes in four years? Is it wrong to buy a suit that costs more than a normal citizen makes in a month? Although its difficult to admit, the fact is anyone with a Ph.D obtained one to earn more money / elevate their social standing. > > It’s in our human nature to categorize ourselves and stand out against competitors. If two children are riding bicycles at a skate park, don’t they compete to find out who the better stuntman is? Adults do it too, but because of arrogance and fear of egotism, they would rather hide their accomplishments rather than boast about them. If you have a higher education than 95% of the citizens, why should that accomplishment be omitted? I believe too many of you choose to express your accomplishments in subtle ways, ( by buying unnecessary things) but do not follow through through with your ideology that you are more privileged than others (by insisting to be called doctor). > > Refusing to be called doctor is just an arrogant, self-presevering attempt to fit in with others who you mistakingly wish to identify with. Gaining acceptance from these people is a subconscious wish to avoid the same fate as Socrates. Insist to be called doctor. Don’t be ashamed of who you’ve become. You’re going to fit right in here. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/108 "2014-05-09T15:24:15Z")
My dad has a Phd., he generally went by his first name - his favorite joke was “Hi, my name is Cliff, drop over some time.” ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/109 "2014-05-09T15:25:31Z")
> [@adrsz88](#): > > I do have a Ph.D, and yes, I demand others address me as doctor. And why shouldn’t I? Don’t many of you other Ph.Ds drive nicer cars than everyone else? You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile. > [@](#): > > Don’t we make more money and live in bigger homes with beautiful spouses, and aren’t our children better educated than those masses who shop at Wal-mart? And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife > [@](#): > > Although its difficult to admit, the fact is anyone with a Ph.D obtained one to earn more money / elevate their social standing. And you may ask yourself: well…How did I get here? > [@](#): > > If you have a higher education than 95% of the citizens, why should that accomplishment be omitted? I believe too many of you choose to express your accomplishments in subtle ways, ( by buying unnecessary things) but do not follow through through with your ideology that you are more privileged than others (by insisting to be called doctor). Sometimes I tell myself, “This is not my beautiful stapler.” Sometimes I tell myself, “This is not my beautiful chair.” > [@](#): > > Refusing to be called doctor is just an arrogant, self-presevering attempt to fit in with others who you mistakingly wish to identify with. Gaining acceptance from these people is a subconscious wish to avoid the same fate as Socrates. Insist to be called doctor. Don’t be ashamed of who you’ve become. And you may ask yourself, “Am I right?..Am I wrong?” And you may say to yourself, “My God!..What have I done?!” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/110 "2014-05-09T15:53:28Z")
> [@adrsz88](#): > > I do have a Ph.D, and yes, I demand others address me as doctor. And why shouldn’t I? Don’t many of you other Ph.Ds drive nicer cars than everyone else? Don’t we make more money and live in bigger homes with beautiful spouses, and aren’t our children better educated than those masses who shop at Wal-mart? Buying a Mercades and wearing expensive wristwatches are subconscious desires to distinguish ourselves from others who are less privileged and cannot afford to do the same. > > Is it wrong to buy a car that cost more than an ordinary citizen makes in four years? Is it wrong to buy a suit that costs more than a normal citizen makes in a month? Although its difficult to admit, the fact is anyone with a Ph.D obtained one to earn more money / elevate their social standing. > > It’s in our human nature to categorize ourselves and stand out against competitors. If two children are riding bicycles at a skate park, don’t they compete to find out who the better stuntman is? Adults do it too, but because of arrogance and fear of egotism, they would rather hide their accomplishments rather than boast about them. If you have a higher education than 95% of the citizens, why should that accomplishment be omitted? I believe too many of you choose to express your accomplishments in subtle ways, ( by buying unnecessary things) but do not follow through through with your ideology that you are more privileged than others (by insisting to be called doctor). > > Refusing to be called doctor is just an arrogant, self-presevering attempt to fit in with others who you mistakingly wish to identify with. Gaining acceptance from these people is a subconscious wish to avoid the same fate as Socrates. Insist to be called doctor. Don’t be ashamed of who you’ve become. I agree with this. I don’t think its wrong to demand to be called doctor in social situations. I can really relate to this. I bought this new Iroc Z, and then I had the underacarriage lights put on and my friends were kind of like, “that’s a bit much, isn’t it.” I know they were just jealous. A funny thing happened after I bought this car - I never realized there were so many lesbians in the area. I mean seriously, like I’ll pull up to a stop light and say, “hey, how’s it goin; lady you lookin really fine,” and many of them just kind of look at me and drive away without saying nothing. Now I know what you’re thinking, they can’t all be lesbians, they’re probably just intimidated by my social standing. I know statisticallity that’s true - sorry if I throw out some big words; you see I’m educated and you know sometimes I just use big words when trying to explain things, but also statistically some of them are lesbians too. It’s a lot to go into now, but the laws of statistics apply here. I think probably I should get a bigger gold chain, or maybe more chains, if the ladies see that, I think they’ll say, “I’m so nervous, but I just can’t let _this_ opportunity slip away.” you see, its like when an oppurtunity comes up that’s too good to pass up, you know you’ll make some sacrifices. So ya bro, don’t listen to the playa haters. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/111 "2014-05-09T15:56:19Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > I agree with this. I don’t think its wrong to demand to be called doctor in social situations. > > I can really relate to this. I bought this new Iroc Z, and then I had the underacarriage lights put on and my friends were kind of like, “that’s a bit much, isn’t it.” I know they were just jealous. > > A funny thing happened after I bought this car - I never realized there were so many lesbians in the area. I mean seriously, like I’ll pull up to a stop light and say, “hey, how’s it goin; lady you lookin really fine,” and many of them just kind of look at me and drive away without saying nothing. Now I know what you’re thinking, they can’t all be lesbians, they’re probably just intimidated by my social standing. I know statisticallity that’s true - sorry if I throw out some big words; you see I’m educated and you know sometimes I just use big words when trying to explain things, but also statistically some of them are lesbians too. It’s a lot to go into now, but the laws of statistics apply here. > > I think probably I should get a bigger gold chain, or maybe more chains, if the ladies see that, I think they’ll say, “I’m so nervous, but I just can’t let _this_ opportunity slip away.” you see, its like when an oppurtunity comes up that’s too good to pass up, you know you’ll make some sacrifices. > > So ya bro, don’t listen to the playa haters. I move we change this man’s screen name to **Dr. Nylock**. ---
**Author:** ![alexandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@alexandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alexandra)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/112 "2014-05-09T16:44:05Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > My wife, who has a PhD and teaches at a post-secondary institution, usually prefers to be known by her first name but… > …she will likewise insist on the proper honorific. She earned the damn thing and it’s the correct one. HOW she corrects the person depends on the level of offense. The airline ticket sales person gets a polite correction; her boss at work who damn well ought to know better by now and is probably trying to be belittling gets a scathing tone with it. She has also been known to strategically mention it to get better customer service, but only if absolutely necessary; her father likewise will casually refer to himself as “Colonel” (which he is, retired) for the same reason.Not in the UK (or indeed some other countries such as Germany IIRC). “Professor” denotes not merely a college lecturer but a specific awarded senior status. An academic department may have several teachers but only one or two Professors. > > Just sayin’. Interestingly, in the UK it’s almost universal for university students to refer to their lecturers by their first names. ---
**Author:** ![crono35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f6c823/32.png) [@crono35](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crono35)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/113 "2014-05-09T17:03:59Z")
I work with medical doctors. I’d refer to my boss by her first name, but anyone else i’d call Dr. I’ve also got a friend who insists on being called Dr. (he’s a pharmacist). He made someone change his name on their wedding seating chart, lol. But he’s kind of a huge doucher. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/114 "2014-05-09T17:20:16Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > I move we change this man’s screen name to **Dr. Nylock**. In all seriousness, I was originally going to make my screen name Dr. Nylock - I just think it sounds better. But then I thought people might think I’m a doctor, and I’m not, and I just thought that would be weird. I kid you not, I think I actually put between 5 and 10 minutes of mental activity into this decision. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/115 "2014-05-09T18:30:26Z")
> [@adrsz88](#): > > I do have a Ph.D, and yes, I demand others address me as doctor. And why shouldn’t I? Don’t many of you other Ph.Ds drive nicer cars than everyone else? Don’t we make more money and live in bigger homes with beautiful spouses, and aren’t our children better educated than those masses who shop at Wal-mart? Buying a Mercades and wearing expensive wristwatches are subconscious desires to distinguish ourselves from others who are less privileged and cannot afford to do the same. > > Is it wrong to buy a car that cost more than an ordinary citizen makes in four years? Is it wrong to buy a suit that costs more than a normal citizen makes in a month? Although its difficult to admit, the fact is anyone with a Ph.D obtained one to earn more money / elevate their social standing. > > It’s in our human nature to categorize ourselves and stand out against competitors. If two children are riding bicycles at a skate park, don’t they compete to find out who the better stuntman is? Adults do it too, but because of arrogance and fear of egotism, they would rather hide their accomplishments rather than boast about them. If you have a higher education than 95% of the citizens, why should that accomplishment be omitted? I believe too many of you choose to express your accomplishments in subtle ways, ( by buying unnecessary things) but do not follow through through with your ideology that you are more privileged than others (by insisting to be called doctor). > > Refusing to be called doctor is just an arrogant, self-presevering attempt to fit in with others who you mistakingly wish to identify with. Gaining acceptance from these people is a subconscious wish to avoid the same fate as Socrates. Insist to be called doctor. Don’t be ashamed of who you’ve become. Still an adjunct, huh? **Peter Morris** - I’ve used the Dr Evil speech on students when they call me Mrs Boods (and because Mrs Boods is my mother :p) Seconding **alexandra** – I’m a senior lecturer (associate professor, I guess, to Americans) at a uni in the UK, and the students call us all by our first names from the associate lectures/adjuncts through to the professors. I do have colleagues who get stroppy among peers, however, if they’re introduced as ‘Dr’ (which can be a lecturer, senior lecturer and reader) rather than ‘Professor.’ Do I insist on ‘doctor’ in social situations? Well, I’m assuming my mother _wants_ me to return her calls… ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/116 "2014-05-09T18:32:34Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Yep. The whole sequence: > > BS = bullshit > MS = more shit > PhD = piled higher and deeper > > 😃 Sorry about the double quote, but wanted to add one to the list: I can put FHEA after my name as well, and when my mum asked, ‘What does that mean?’ (she’s far more excited about all the degrees and stuff), I said, 'It means ‘Fucking hell, enough already.’ ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/117 "2014-05-09T19:27:52Z")
Great replies. Loved \*\*RTFirefly’s \*\*nice deconstruction there. Same as it ever was. I worked for many years with a bunch of scientists and engineers and 6 of us had PhDs in various disciplines. The ONLY time we ever called each other ‘Doctor’ was when we had been drinking. We never used titles even when trying to impress clients. But it was dang funny, when (very occasionally) when we all met each other in the break room simultaneously trying to get to the coffee urn that we would break into “Pardon, me doctor, no after you Doctor…” and so on. For some reason that was funny. But socially, you have to be kidding me. The only time when it is used is when my wife is irritated at me and says something like, “Dr. Inexplicable, this trash needs to go to the compost.” Kind of puts a different slant on the ‘honorific’, now doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/118 "2014-05-09T19:53:52Z")
> [@alexandra](#): > > Interestingly, in the UK it’s almost universal for university students to refer to their lecturers by their first names. This is true, as Gyrate well knows (I’ll direct him to the egg-sucking forum soon). But in situations where you’d use a title, you’d use Dr rather than Mr/Ms. You wouldn’t ask for a reference from Mrs Alexandra, but Dr Alexandra, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/119 "2014-05-09T20:16:46Z")
Correct me if I’m wrong anyone, but aren’t all doctors for the most part middle to upper middle class? It is a very respectable thing to achieve; but it isn’t really something that places someone in the upper echelons of the social/financial/income hierarchy for the most part AFAIK. Even if your education is better than 95% of the population that still means you’re only 1 in 20; to me that doesn’t seem like anything extraordinary - respectable but not extraordinary, kind of like JV all-star. So I guess I kind of look at it as someone wanting to get more mileage than warranted out of their achievements if they insist on being called Doctor in a social setting - about as impressive as a second hand Rolex. I could be looking at the situation all wrong though. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798/120 "2014-05-09T20:21:45Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > Correct me if I’m wrong anyone, but aren’t all doctors for the most part middle to upper middle class? It is a very respectable thing to achieve; but it isn’t really something that places someone in the upper echelons of the social/financial/income hierarchy for the most part AFAIK. Even if your education is better than 95% of the population that still means you’re only 1 in 20; to me that doesn’t seem like anything extraordinary - respectable but not extraordinary, kind of like JV all-star. So I guess I kind of look at it as someone wanting to get more mileage than warranted out of their achievements if they insist on being called Doctor in a social setting - about as impressive as a second hand Rolex. I could be looking at the situation all wrong though. Also, the OP mentioned MD as well as PhD. While an MD is generally a guarantee of at least a modicum of money, a PhD most decidedly is not. There were two or three PhDs teaching at my high school. :smack: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-an-md-or-a-phd-do-you-make-people-call-you-doctor-in-social-settings/634798.md?page=7)