I’ve been working at the same place since I was 17 years old, a long, long, time ago. Over that period I’ve seen a lot of people come and go: students, fellow technologists, nurses, doctors.

Some of them I’ve been sad to see leave. Some, particularly a few doctors, I’ve happily held the door for as they left.

I have no problem admitting there are a great many people in the world that are much smarter than I am. I do sometimes disagree with those who assume they belong in that category based solely on their position.

Regardless of age, likability, or external relationship, while on the job, I still refer to any and all physicians as “Doctor (insert last name).”

If we are at a sports bar eating wings or playing pool above my garage it may be a different story, but it’s a title I feel they have earned, respect that should be given.

I firmly believe that teaching respect is a very important aspect of the parenting job, one that is often overlooked.

Behaviors such as not interrupting a talking adult, good sportsmanship on an athletic field, learning to wait patiently. A mindset of civility and propriety that needs to be developed early.

I believe that addressing people appropriately is one of these lessons.

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I have friends that I have known for over 35 years now, and in almost every case I will still call their parents “Mr.” and “Mrs.” The majority of these friends would refer to my parents by the same.

I don’t like the fact that high school teachers now allow their students to refer to them by first name. It implies a level of familiarity and equality I don’t feel the students should expect.

It fosters an environment where authority isn’t clearly enough defined and creates confusion over what is acceptable.

My youngest daughter’s friends call me “Mr. Jeremy,” a moniker I approve of because they’re five years old, it’s cute, and it’s better that being called “Alaina’s dad.” If they all remain friends, which I hope they’re able to do, that name will continue to be just fine.

For anybody over the age of 10 (an arbitrary number I just decided on), I think it’s reasonable to expect to be called “Mr. Barnes.”

I would hope both my girls offer the same courtesy and respect to any adults they address, regardless of setting.

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Any young man over the age of 12 can probably just stick to “Sir” and we’ll get along just fine.

This post originally appeared on the author’s blog.