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58 thoughts on “Ask A Broadsheet Reader”

    2. scottser

      argualbly though, for some like peadar tobin in the last thread you’d hate for your name to be shortened to ‘peado’

  3. Ollie Cromwell

    I’ve also often wondered why everyone,including the minister in charge of education,insists on calling the Leaving Certificate the Leaving Cert.
    Is it laziness or stupidity ?

    2. Col

      Cert is a commonly used short version of certificate. Similar to the way that fridge is a commonly used version of refrigerator.
      People say birth cert, or marriage cert etc too. You may equate shortened words to laziness (I don’t), but I don’t think stupidity comes into it.

        2. millie st murderlark

          I would say it’s more a social/cultural thing, and then a case of you looking for any way to get a dig in.

          It’s very, very dull and you’re smarter than that. I’d even call it… laziness.

        3. rotide

          “That’s”, “It’s”

          Of course I do not have to tell you that the correct use is ‘that is’ and ‘it is’. Was it laziness or stupidity that caused you to do that

        5. Nigel

          Pivoting hard from being concerned about racism yesterday back to being racist today don’t get whiplash. Or do.

      1. Brother Barnabas

        heard a particularly slothful student type referring recently to the Advanced Level examinations as the “A levels”

        can’t imagine an effort-shy loafer like that will excel

        1. Ollie Cromwell

          I like to think if I had spent many years studying for a certificate I’d give it its full name when talking about it.

          1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

            Two years.
            Ooof. Maybe it took you a bit longer to get your A Levels, though, so that’s why you’re more wedded to using a full nomenclature?

  6. Jeffrey

    Euh…. this is done all over the world, calling people using nicknames. You are clearly struggling with something, not sure what…

  8. Ollie Cromwell

    I’d love to stay and chat but luncheon with an old pal calls.
    Chances are we’ll have a third bottle.

    2. millie st murderlark

      He’s the scab you know not to touch, but sometimes you just can’t help yourself.

      Know what I mean?

    3. rotide

      Generally ignore him completely like a fly butting against the window trying to get out.

      However, couldn’t resist it when he went for mother jokes earlier

      1. Brother Barnabas

        the mother jibes aren’t new – generally just get modded before many see them

        he does a good line in homophobic ‘jokes’ too

        1. Ollie Cromwell

          Only in your sad little world can a mam joke be considered worse than wondering which part of his body a poster on here is going to get stabbed in first.
          You need to get out more old snowflake instead of simpering away on here all day.

  10. Slightly Bemused

    @Cormac; not sure if it directly related, but when I was growing up, you knew you were in trouble with the ma when she used your correct first name! That was time to scarper and hope she cooled off before dinner :)

  11. Mike

    I lived in the UK for a a few years and it was the first time I was ever called Mr. X rather than by my first name. Like all cultural differences, it’s a surprise and feels weird till you get used to it. I did feel the presence of an established hierarchy there that I don’t feel is here in Ireland.
    For example, people don’t curtsy to presidents as they are elected from the people – there is reverence for the office more than the person.
    If you are a royal subject, you are automatically allocated your slot in a hierarchy. We are really only aware of the Royal family when observing from afar, but they have a full hierarchy there and being a Mr. is indeed a reverence to you and your good place in that hierarchy. They have plenty of Barons and Earls – they have “My Lord” “Your Grace” “Your Highness” and “Your Majesty”.
    To maintain your own position in the hierarchy with respect to those below you, you must therefore commit to respect those above you. You buy-in to it all, or none of it.

    I think Irish people would feel someone is holding them at a distance if they are called Mr. X. Calling someone by their first name is a sign of friendliness – shows a lack of distance and formality – and also acts as a nod to the equality of the parties.

    In Germany it is certainly not unusual to greet colleagues each day with a “Guten Morgen Herr X” and deliver this with a handshake. The only time I can think of when that might happen in Ireland is in a legal setting when the intention is to formalise and make everything feel serious & legitimate.

    India is unique in being a republic of equals with a caste system – its like the law says one thing but culturally that’s not the reality…

    1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

      Maybe if you’d told them your surname they wouldn’t have called you Mr X all the time? It sounds quite dehumanising.

    3. Janet, I ate my Avatar

      I have probably mentioned this before but it feels wrong for bank staff, medical staff to be so familiar here, Janet this, Big J that, Janbag ye fine thing, give an inch they take a mile I say

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