Does it really matter?

[anotheoldgit]

I know this is not really a news question, but since I have recently been criticised on this site for using the wrong term of address, I thought I would post on here in the hope that I may get an answer to my question.

On this mornings radio a presenter was introducing some woman spokesperson.

He started by saying welcome "whatever her name was" who is the Chair Woman of "such and such" an organisation, (please forgive me for not remembering the specific names)

To this introduction the woman rudely announced to the presenter " I do not wish to be called Chair Woman" "Then what do I call you then", asked the presenter, maybe 'Chair person'? No the woman sharply replied 'The Chair' that is what I should be addressed as.

Well the question I must ask is does it really matter, and even if it did was National Radio a suitable place to correct the presenter over such a trivial matter?

[jackthehat]

1. It obviously mattered to her.
2. That's where they were..

[merciasounds]

There's just no pleasing some people

[Bbbananas]

I think she was being a bit petty, but surely the form of address should have been discussed before the broadcast went ahead - especially if it was so important to her?

[Zeuhl]

If he had been properly briefed he should have known her proper title as her position with the org was directly relevant to the interview.

Sloppy radio presenting - which station was it?

[Mick-Talbot]

Hi .....ignore me........ Pixi beat me to it.

[Gromit]

If the BBC are to interview and introduce someone, they should go to the courtesy of getting her title correct. It matters to that organisation or they wouldn't have gone to the trouble of deciding on that term.

People have titles, Her Majesty the Queen for example. Are you saying an ignorant should be able to call Her Majesty what they like because they are lazy?

I have always found the title 'Chair' or 'The Chair' to sound daft, but if that is what people wished to be called, then it is good manners to call them so.

[Sqad]

It was totally insensitive of her to confront him in that patronising way and it would have served her cause better if she had ignored the point.

No, to me it is no big deal......why not call it "Chair" or "the Chair" or whatever.

[Old_Geezer]

I guess it mattered to her.

[Manwithnoname]

He should have called her The Char (plum in mouth of course) silly old moo

[anotheoldgit]

Good job no one off air said "pass me the chair" she would then have had something to complain about.

Absolutely ridiculous I can understand her not wishing to be called 'Chair Man', but 'Chair Woman,'Chair Person' or 'Chair', what's the big deal?

Would never have happened if it had been a man, just plain simple 'Chair Man' would have sufficed.

[Zeuhl]

<<Would never have happened if it had been a man, just plain simple 'Chair Man' would have sufficed. >>

Well it would actually.

Think about it for more than a nano second. Organisations who have decided their committee head will be called 'Chair' have women and men in that position.

I know several people - male and female - who have the official title of 'Chair' of some committee or other.

It is not mega important but it is a matter of accuracy, politeness and respect for their position to get their title right.

For a broadcast professional to not get it right is plain incompetence. What numpty station were you listening to?

[Kerosene]

Time of the month???

[R1Geezer]

she was probably wearing dungarees AOG!

[anotheoldgit]

/// know several people - male and female - who have the official title of 'Chair' of some committee or other.///

That is only because of the 'feminist lobby' who have brought all this PC nonsense into fruition.

The Chairman of a company would find no difficulty in being called exactly what he was.

[jackthehat]

AOG - Your initial question was about this woman and her appearance on a radio programme.

Was this just a sneaky way of introducing a -feminist-lobby bashing' thread into the News section?

By all means grumble away at the 'nonsense' you feel has been thrust upon your delicate sensibilities but, please, don't try to dress it up as something else.