Comments on: Please Miss

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:54:10 +0000

To us older people who were used to calling authority figures Mr. or Mrs./Miss children calling adults by their Christian names sounds too familiar even disrespectful. However children now grow up calling adults by their Christian names without realising it is unusual. My 5 year grandson seems to have as much respect for his teacher as children in the past while just calling her by her name – Christian name. At 15 it might be different but I think it is a matter of informality rather than familiarity. A teacher addressed by first name can still lay down the law when necessary.

By: Leonidas

Leonidas — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:44:12 +0000

I will never forget “Dr Gillard, Sir” best science teacher ever.

By: Neil

Neil — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:31:20 +0000

As an ex-teacher and recently working in a High School for three weeks I have some opinions which might or might not be right.
Children are in school to learn not build up friendships wuth teachers. One thing that young teachers often get wrong is that they want to be “loved” by the students. If the teacher is teaching chemistry, your respect should be for the teachers ability to impart knowledge and learning attitudes not to sidle up to him with sweet inconsequences. I noted at the end of exams how these young teachers waiting anxiously to see how their young charges survived the emotional pain of an exam. Older teachers tended to stand back a bit and let the students sort out the emotional part of the exam themselves. A quiet word from the teacher to student is more appropriate.
To all bloggers on this topic, the word respect is the word. Many students in the later life talk respectfully of the teacher who stood no nonsense,acted as a professional and set them on course academically. The number of cases where teachers courting popularity and then crossing the line into undesriable behaviour is littered with many
who have ended up being severely compromised, sexually in particular.
Despite what the great unwashed might say, teachers need to earn respect by playing a straight bat to all temptations.
Remember, these are young kids of perhaps 10-17 and can get some pretty funny ideas. Many of them are supercharged with hormones and get crushes. One moments loss of appropriate behaviour can be the ruination of a teachers life and also for a vulnerable child.
Teachers have a real responsibility and sense of trust. We are loco parentis when we teach them. The question to ask fellow teachers is “Would parents act the way we are intending to do with their child”
They are not equal to teachers in this situation. If not, why have staffrooms for teachers. Why not let the teachers go out and play bullrush or go round the back of the bikesheds. Enough said.
End of story.

By: Haiku Dave

Haiku Dave — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:24:58 +0000

negative karma
is like water off haiku
dave’s oily buttocks

By: Haiku Dave

Haiku Dave — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:37:43 +0000

i was always caned
at school, but sobered up in
time for my exams

By: thehawkreturns

thehawkreturns — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:38:51 +0000

At 48 I don’t mind being addressed by anyone say between 30 and 100 with my Christian name first up. Younger than that and I find it presumptious. I expect to be asked first or to be given the opportunity to decide if I wish to invite the other person to be on first name terms. When my 14 yo son brought his friend home and he addressed me by my Christian name I thought “jumped up little git”. First impressions. That impression hasn’t changed in 4 years.

By: Viking2

Viking2 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:44:28 +0000

Respect is being confused here. It is something that is earned, it isn’t instantly acquired depending on how someone is addressed.
Couldn’t agree more.
People like to hear their own names, no mystery in that. People even have nick names and accept that as normal so where is the problem?
The use of titles is an issue of respect and kids learn that at the same time. Using a first name is not an issue of disrespect if the older person accepts that is they way younger people can address them. Calling a pratt male teacher “sir” with emphasis is a reflection of the lack of respect held at that particular point in time but apparently makes the Sir feel good and satisfies those with a power trip based on seniority.
I recall all the teachers used to have nick names and most of them were not flattering as most teachers were (and still are ) in a world of their own and for many respect was demanded rather than earned. Something that simply doesn’t work. One I recall was called “spit and dribble” Cause that’s what he did.
When one considers that in a lot of cases that the kids are also mixing in the community with those that are their teachers then first name basis would be common particularly at an older age.
Its certainly not uncommon for older students and younger teachers to be fraternizing at the same social events and indeed
the self righteous PPTA and its ilk are condescendingly concerned to ostracize any of their peers involved in that situation.
or its ongoing involvement between the human beings concerned. (more PC bullshit).

Take your pick; Would Trevor Mallard prefer to called, Trev, Trevor, Mr Mallard, Hey Mallard, Duck or any other form of his name or anything else.
(Not picking on you Trev. Just is an easy illustration of how pedantic this can get because my guess is that it would depend on the circumstances at the time, the rulers and the permissions taken or granted. In the end it comes down people.

By: Chthoniid

Chthoniid — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:26:19 +0000

I think school children should refer to adults as Mr or Mrs and strongly disapprove of this first name carry on.

I dislike the honorific ‘Mr’, afterall, it took 10 years of sustained effort to go from starting ‘varsity to getting my doctorate.
If someone is going to use my title, they should get it right.

By: Kris K

Kris K — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:04:36 +0000

All Rongotai College Oldboys

Please list years attended.

Mr Getstaffed and Mr Muppet mentioned Mr Mackay’s ‘applied caning’ technique – he was an engineer afterall – worked for Rolls Royce during WWII; developed aircraft engines, etc.
So I assume you were early eighties.

Anyway, I attended from 1976 – 1980 (7th Form)

Just missed the caning fiasco as that was 1981.

By: Brian Smaller

Brian Smaller — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:25:59 +0000

Imagine my horror when they greeted me in front of all my mates as “Baloo”.

Funny – I always though of you more as a King Louis.

By: Elijah Lineberry

Elijah Lineberry — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:31:00 +0000

I think school children should refer to adults as Mr or Mrs and strongly disapprove of this first name carry on.

I also like being referred to as Mr in most settings (lest anyone forget their place on the totem pole) and find it all rather strange the galloping informality of modern times; no doubt all part of the socialist egalitarianism.

http://www.nightcitytrader.blogspot.com

By: getstaffed

getstaffed — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:17:19 +0000

muppet – that does bring back memories. The “We support our Boss” badges… which Noel instructed everyone to remove because they weren’t part of the official uniform

By: muppet

muppet — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:04:23 +0000

I wonder if DPF had a role in this bit of turmoil at the college back in the day.

http://www.corpun.com/nzsc8110.htm

Quite funny reading through the issue now…especially the science of “cane flutter.”

By: Pete George

Pete George — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:44:39 +0000

So it’s sort of a short term charade?

By: getstaffed

getstaffed — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:30:51 +0000

Please explain how calling your teachers by salutation/surname made you respect them.

Wrong way around Pete. Using their formal name demonstrates attributed respect, rather than forming it from a void. And FWIW, anyone in a position of authority/responsibility know if they’ve earned that respect… irrespective of how they’re addressed.

By: Pete George

Pete George — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:30:48 +0000

No wonder Kiwiblog (seemingly nearly full of Rongatains) is so civilised and respectful after so much corporal punishment and Mr-ing at school.

By: big bruv

big bruv — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:28:08 +0000

Only 51 times…pffttt….

Fucking pussy!

By: Pete George

Pete George — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:23:26 +0000

Now it must be said I was caned a total of 51 times in my 3rd and 4th form for (generally) insolence to teachers

Please explain how calling your teachers by salutation/surname made you respect them.

But don’t launch this topic into ruination by explaining how without those canings you would be a much worse person.

By: bearhunter

bearhunter — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:20:09 +0000

Heh. Caned 51 times in two years for mostly the same offence. Nice to see corporal punishment working so well…:-)

By: Chris C

Chris C — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:20:05 +0000

Komata
December 4th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

The socialists never give up do they. . . ?

For centuries it has been the accepted cultural ‘norm’ in the Western world (and, indeed, elsewhere as well), for younger human beings to address their elders as Mr, Mrs or Miss – this both creates a point of reference for children who are aware that those older than them are worthy of respect, while simultaneously reminding them that, until about 18 years of age, their position on the totem-pole of life is at the lower-end.

Unfortunately, the freedom-loving, baby-boomers, determined to change the things their parents held-dear, and to never again have to be respectful of the authority that said parents represented, deliberately decided to alter the status quo and encouraged THEIR offspring to start using first names for all and any adult they came in contact with, to the point that it is now socially acceptable (and, sadly normal) to have any child from 3 years and upward address all and anyone on these terms. At the time it was seen as ‘Liberating’ and ‘Cool’ and a way of undermining the authority of the hated adults

You’re absolutely right. Why, I rue the day (and gnash my teeth and wail too) that this disgusting liberalism infected our society to such a degree that beating and raping your own wife was made illegal. That cultural ‘norm’ was a marker of who, exactly, was better than who, creating a point of reference for women who should have been aware that the ones with the sexual organs on the outside are worthy of automatic respect, while simultaneously reminding them that, until their spouse’s death, their position on the totem-pole of life was at the lower end.

Unfortunately, the freedom-loving baby-boomers, determined to change everything their parents held dear, and to never again have to be respectful of the authority married men represented, deliberately decided to alter the status quo and encouraged THEIR offspring to say that beating someone up or sexually assaulting them simply because you’re married to them is completely unacceptable. At the time it was seen as ‘Liberating’ and ‘Cool’ and a way of undermining the authority of the hated men, but now…

IT’S DISGUSTING. FACT.