@kaa as a republican i'd like to see the back of the british monarchy - but in the meantime, in nz our sirs and dames are generally very good and respected people who deserve a title.
@tones I’m no royalist, and definitely skew liberal, however a norm that recognised someone’s contribution to society and doesn’t harm someone else should at the very least be respected. What that line shows is a chip on the shoulder about a norm that you don’t have. Yet America has many other norms of her own creation. You may not agree with them but at least respect that millions of others do appreciate these norms. It’s called being civil.
@kaa Spot-on. I wonder, does he refer to Queen Elizabeth II as Mrs. Windsor-Mountbatten? :-P If not, he’s specifically being disrespectful to Ive by disputing Ive’s right to have his national title used when he is being mentioned.
And we do have some honorific titles in this country—for instance, every ex-politician gets one, that of their highest former office, no matter how awful or undeserving they were. Our Presidential Medal of Freedom, a similar kind of award as those the UK and Commonwealth nations give for contributions to society, doesn’t come with an honorific, though. Just a fancy medal.