Reply #24: The use of "DR" is being stretched every day....

[wadestock]

When I was a kid, only people who were MDs were addressed as "doctors".

Since 30 years in R&D, I've seen the use of doctor as a "greeting" being more and more abused.

My personal experience is those that are content with their work and have any real respect in whatever field generally drop the designation most of the time. I think back, and many of the best people I've worked with I only find are PHDs AFTER I've known them for a while.

Although I'm obviously generalizing, it is those that are insecure with their work and/or themselves that seem to push the designation.