UK versus US

[Jack Ryan]

Why is it that in the US most witnesses call each other brother/sister [last name], but in the UK they usually just call everyone by their first names?

[Evacuated]

16 hours ago, Jack Ryan said:

in the UK they usually just call everyone by their first names?

Depends on your experience. When inviting comments in a meeting setting,  I would say that from the plat form, second names are frequently used in the UK, usually preceded by the title Brother or Sister, but not as a constant feature. Second names may also be used particularly when the audience member and platform brother are not well-acquainted, or there is a considerable age difference. with younger brothers often referring to an older one as Brother or Sister (surname).Sometimes,  it may just be a memory issue as to which end of a person's name is used.

But Informally, it is a different matter. First names are frequently used when on friendly terms with each other without the preceding title. However, respect for elders, both in a spiritual and physical context, also has a bearing with the title being used as a mark of respect even when the older person insisits that their first name is used. So, using an older persons first name is by no means universally customary in the UK, even in an informal seting

In fact, in cities, commonly cultural melting pots, it is not uncommon for younger ones to refer to older ones as Aunty or Uncle.  

[Anna]

5 hours ago, Gone Away said:

Second names

Hahaha, when I ask "what's so and so's second name?", here in America, they look at me funny. Here it's called "the last name" . I guess because so many have middle names, so they get confused .

5 hours ago, Gone Away said:

it is not uncommon for younger ones to refer to older ones as Aunty or Uncle.

Yes, that's sooo British

[Evacuated]

56 minutes ago, Anna said:

Yes, that's sooo British

Bit archaic for today's British. More Carribean and to a lesser extent African. Something to with church influenced colonial education I expect.

[Anna]

6 hours ago, Gone Away said:

Bit archaic for today's British.

Ooooh! Makes me feel so old! I used to call everyone auntie or uncle, and then I myself got called auntie by the younger ones...that was 20 years ago.....I guess times change...

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

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