when did I ever rate a formality?
I've been hiring interns to finish out the semester lately, and it's nothing less than profoundly unsettling (although a touch amusing) to receive cover letters, resumes, and (after the phone call with me telling him/her [largely "her;" we don't have a lot of male applicants] that s/he is now a KSBY intern) current class schedules addressed to "Mr. Seiler." I am, at most, three years older than the applicants. The respect is nice, but these women are making me feel old -- and I don't need any help there. I will stop this behavior once they're hired -- an old favorite of Cy's was, "I hate it when my students call me Professor Smith. Not only does it make me feel old, but it starts up a whole inequality thing."
Plus, I do not vibe professional in dress. My work clothing is largely polo shirts, button-ups, and sweaters with jeans. My theory is, "If you're going to be sitting behind a desk all day, you'd better be comfortable," and in a newsroom, this is the underlying concept unless you are on-air talent. My on-the-clock behavior is professional (although casual and occasionally curse-prone), but I do not radiate authority -- which makes "Mr. Seiler" an amusing construct; someone I conjure in my head, who is in some sort of lucrative career with sycophants on hand at all times.
It's impossible for me to consider replying to the formal title in a newsroom, since I am (in many respects) still very much a student, and despite how good I may become, always will be.
Plus, I do not vibe professional in dress. My work clothing is largely polo shirts, button-ups, and sweaters with jeans. My theory is, "If you're going to be sitting behind a desk all day, you'd better be comfortable," and in a newsroom, this is the underlying concept unless you are on-air talent. My on-the-clock behavior is professional (although casual and occasionally curse-prone), but I do not radiate authority -- which makes "Mr. Seiler" an amusing construct; someone I conjure in my head, who is in some sort of lucrative career with sycophants on hand at all times.
It's impossible for me to consider replying to the formal title in a newsroom, since I am (in many respects) still very much a student, and despite how good I may become, always will be.