DEAR MISS MANNERS: Many people refer to former senator Hillary Clinton by only her first name. As a woman and a believer in common courtesy, I find this to be incredibly disrespectful, especially when people address other candidates by either their last name only or by their first and last names. Am I the only person who feels this way?
GENTLE READER: No, but it is unlikely that the candidate agrees. Common courtesy is not the only factor involved. There is also politicians' desire to project "the common touch."
Like you, Miss Manners would prefer to see public officials and candidates for office addressed with the dignity of titles. But she yields to the overriding rule that people should be addressed as they wish to be.
Within reason, that is. When our first president proposed that he would be pleased to be called "His High and Mightiness," he was ridiculed into withdrawing the suggestion.
No I don't think it is rude... After the bengahzi incident she isn't worthy to be called anything else respectful. Of course I don't like her and Her refusing to turn over her emails and even if she is innocent to be stupid enough to use her personal computer for government security matters and business matters she has no business being a secretary in a government office much less President of the United States.
I don't think it is rude for regular people to use her first name talking about her with others.
Now if addressing her specifically, then yes, use the formal until she says otherwise.
That's just common etiquette rules.
But really, I think she tries to both soften her image and distance herself from the whole Clinton White house.
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I've noticed that until this latest election we called our leaders by their last names; Prime Minister Cretien, Prime Minister Harper, etc., Now we've got Justin & Jody. Love it.
