Posted by Jock on December 06, 2006 at 20:48:58 from 87.105.81.146 user Jock.
In Reply to: Re: the 'people's sheep' factor (was UHT milk posted by PeterH on December 06, 2006 at 19:54:29:
The above is probably an idealistic way of explaining away what sociologists would see simply as class conventions in form of address.
In Poland we use a strict hierachy of forms of address to denote not class relations, but degrees of familiarity.
Thus I will address a casual aquaintance will as Pan Smith, (Mr Smith) while after we have met a few times and I consider him a decent chap I might start calling him Pan John. He will reciprocate. Finally, if we get to know each other really well there is a rather quaint ceremony where we down a few vodkas, kiss each other three times on alternate cheeks and progress to using first names.
This system is overlaid by the respect we show certain professions. Thus on meeting the Mayor of a town I will address him as 'Mr Mayor' and children address their teachers as 'Mr Professor'.
I wonder if something similar may not be happening here.