• captainlezbian@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    7
    ·
    6 days ago

    In some places using formality like that is intentionally very disrespectful. Though it often can be used similarly for high respect. Thus leading to people like me who would call Angela Davis “Dr Davis” out of respect, but also would call Elon “Mr Musk” but I’d use a more customer service style voice for him.

    • _____@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      6 days ago

      I’m Canadian so I’m not sure how it comes across to other cultures but from my perspective it’s a bit too polite. Mr cockroach sounds a bit more like it.

      • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        6 days ago

        Yeah I suspect it comes from customer service. It’s very much a “sir you’re making a scene” vibe rather than a “yes sir” vibe. It’s more respectful here to assume someone can handle being treated as an equal without being an asshole about it.