3 ms·
Not as tacky as referring to yourself as “doctor” in the context of a medical discussion when your field has nothing to do with medicine whatsoever.
by koolba 6y ago
Not as tacky as referring to yourself as “doctor” in the context of a medical discussion when your field has nothing to do with medicine whatsoever.
- leephillips 6y agoAre you referring to anything in particular?
- laingc 6y agoIt is important to note that in many places outside the US, Physicians are only honorary Doctors. For example in New Zealand, Physicians graduate MB ChB - Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of surgery. Lawyers likewise graduate LLB - Bachelor of Laws. You’re only technically a Doctor if you have a Doctorate - PhD, DPhil, DSc, MD. It doesn’t invalidate your opinion, but it’s worth being aware of your own cultural context when making judgements.
- leephillips 6y agoIn New Zealand, when you are sick, do you go to the doctor or to the Bachelor of Medicine?
- laingc 6y agoYou go to the GP - General Practitioner.
- leephillips 6y agoSo that’s what people use in conversation? They don’t use “doctor” as a synonym for physician?
- aYsY4dDQ2NrcNzA 6y agoIsn’t that what they say in Britain? “GP”?
- laingc 6y agoYes
- coyotespike 6y agoIf it's as in Britain - and New Zealand is a Commonwealth country - then yes, people say, "I have an appointment with my GP."
- tzs 6y agoMy copies of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories of Sherlock Holmes speak of Doctor Watson rather than GP Watson. Is this a Philosopher's Stone/Sorcerer's Stone situation where someone published an Americanized edition and that's what I have?
- Taniwha 6y agowe do use "doctor" as a synonym fro GP, but we also understand that it's a traditional customary title and they don't actually have a doctorate
- laingc 6y agoAs others have commented, you would indeed say, “I have an appointment with my GP.” However, people would certainly know what you meant if you said “I’m going to see the doctor.”
- Tomminn 6y agoKiwi here. In NZ, a doctor is assumed to be a medical doctor without other context. And calling yourself a doctor when you're not a medical doctor gets you mocked, unless the context makes it clear you mean academic doctor-- as in, you're on a podium, and about to give an academic talk. Mind you, calling yourself anything which isn't explicitly self deprecating gets you mocked in NZ.