Protocol

Subject: Re: Protocol Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:13 pm

We simul-posted, Dick (or should I say "Mister Dick"?)

In my parents' generation, high school only went to the 11th grade. Was it the same for you, or was that just a local thing?
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Brew
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"Let us dare to read, think, speak and write." ~ John Adams, 1765

Subject: Re: Protocol Sat Aug 30, 2008 12:10 pm

I still use the southern tried-and-true method of referring to folks as Miz Susan or Mr. Bob. This, if we have previously met, and they are my elders. The title shows respect and the use of the first name acknowledges familiarity without seeming too chummy.

And, if said with the whole southern accent thing, it just fits down here.
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Subject: Re: Protocol Sat Aug 30, 2008 1:12 pm

No, Brew, high school went through the 12th grade. I just quit after the 10th and got a job. Couldn't wait to hit 18 and go into the Army so sitting in a classroom was impossible with the biggest war in history going on out there.
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Subject: Re: Protocol Sat Aug 30, 2008 1:49 pm

Subject: Re: Protocol Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:32 pm

Something I've been wondering...

In writing dialogue would you write, "Mister Smith" or "Mr. Smith"?

Also, I've read that the period after the Mr. or Mrs. is not necessary. True?
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Brew
My website:http://www.philwhitley.com
"Let us dare to read, think, speak and write." ~ John Adams, 1765

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 2021 Location : UK

Hi Brew,

I've checked several editing guidelines over the last four months and the consensus seems to be that Mr. and Mrs. are titles used in narrative and Mister and Missus are used in dialogue.

In accademic works, authors are asked not to use periods for Mr, Ms, Mrs and Dr etc. but this doesn't apply to fiction. However, there is a tendency to omit the period in American writing in line with omitted commas and periods in letter addresses.

The important thing is to be consistent. Make a decision and stick with it throughout.
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Subject: Re: Protocol Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:59 pm

Thanks, Shelagh. I had it right but doubted myself.
_________________
Brew
My website:http://www.philwhitley.com
"Let us dare to read, think, speak and write." ~ John Adams, 1765

Subject: Re: Protocol Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:54 pm

I do not like 'slapping'. For me, punishment was swats on the rearend. It's what I dished out on rare occasions. If I hit the bottom with my hand, I was always aware of how hard I was hitting.

My mother was good for picking up whatever was at hand, wooden spoon, coffee pot cord, etc. Those things left bruises that were horrible. I can't tell you how many spoons and hairbrushes she broke on me, which always seemed to infuriate her all the more!

A slap in the face is the most demoralizing thing I can think of! The fanny is padded and in less danger of sustaining irreparable harm. And I never spanked in anger.

After the age of four, my baby daughter had learned that mom meant what she said, and another hand was never needed to be laid on her behind.

She had, and still has good manners. The same goes for the other two.
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

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Subject: Re: Protocol Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:26 pm

Zada,
My daughter, my first child, is still only a baby... so she's too small and too cute to do any more than pull a mean face at.

Whereas I may have said a couple of slaps can sometimes be the last resort for parents in general, I don't ever see myself having to *hit* my child. You give an excellent example with your baby daughter after she turned four. A good parent, who knows how to raise kids, will have built up enough of an ongoing relationship with their child so that the child will know you mean business simply by the enraged look on your face or the force of your words, at the appropriate time. It should never come down to physical punishment.

That's of course in an ideal world...
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Subject: Re: Protocol Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:45 am

I've raised two and personally I found the window for actual spankings is so small! Before seven they are too little. After two they are logical enough to understand things like time out, revoking of privilage, and such. After ten, they are too old to spank. It doesn't do anything but make them feel belittled. Then they rebel.

Of course, I'm generalising, and basing this on my kids and their friends.

If an alternative to spanking works, I would us that first.
And I never could strink my kids above the belt. Their legs mostly; the upper thigh, where it feels like a sting but does no harm. No belt, just yor hand.

I was picky about that kind of thing, because I had seen kids with marks on them from spankings.