While growing up, my parents taught me to address adults by their last name. Mrs Simpson, the mother of my childhood best friend, still remains to this day, Mrs Simpson. In fact, all of my friends parents are still Mr and Mrs respectively despite being a grown up with children of my own. I think the only adults I address by their first names that are not within 5 years of my age, are the family members on my husbands side. I remember quite clearly after Kyle and I had gotten engaged and invited my in-laws over for dinner, I was at that akward stage of what-do-I-call-them. Mom and Dad didn't seem right and Mr and Mrs seemed too formal (and was quickly dismissed by them) so I was told to address them by their first names. I called into the main room to see if they had wanted any coffee and I distinctly remember saying "Cathy and Mr J" It was funny but I had a very hard time getting used to the idea of first names with them. Now of course it is second nature.
It seems to me that times have changed (naturally) and children no longer use last names. I am "Nikki" to even my friends children. Not Mrs Jones, not Auntie Nikki, just Nikki. Not that I mind so much but it seems out of place for my children to use first names for grown ups and really, do I want them to be the odd kid out? Yes, maybe. But seeing that my children are now (almost) 5 and 2, is it too late to change the rules of etiquette? What exactly are the rules of etiquette now anyway? Perhaps I should ask Mrs Simpson.
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I too still call my parents friends (living and passed in reference) Mr. & Mrs. It was instilled in us at a very young age as well. Our parents best friends to us were Aunt and Uncle and I say I have carried that through with mine. One parent said to me - your married now - you can call us Flo and Bill - can't do it. But when one of Alex's friends parents tell us they like the kids to use their first names - we respect that as well. AUNTIE DIANNE - sorry Dianne
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