Pretention or culture?

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

. Similarly, when down South in the USA it makes me feel uncomfortable when the bagger in the supermarket calls me "Sir" or my wife "Ma'm," but that is part of the culture.

Whenever I am called Mr DOJ I tend to think they are referring to my father - and sometimes have to check . Either that or means that officialdom is not happy with DOJ .

I do recall in the past having been saluted unexpectedly - kinda awkward when the last uniform I wore was in the Sea Scouts (and I went AWOL from them - after 1 day ). But was meant well. Furriners .

[Astrid]

You were in Sea Scouts also? I would never have suspected.

[Gabrieln]

My friends, girlfriend and even my 9yrs old daughter call me "Captain Crumb".
It's a quite annoying joke because of my pathological obsession with whatever crumbs they spread all over the boat.
Those things get wet and become a nightmare to clean and then we have bugs...

These people don't respect ranks anymore!

[Roy M]

My favorite symbol of the Captain is the emblem on the cap. It's an anchor with the rode wrapped about it, called, technically, a "fouled anchor", and universally characterized as useless.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Astrid

You were in Sea Scouts also? I would never have suspected.

Thinking about it a bit more, am not sure I even got a uniform before I left .

I probably would have stuck around if there had also been female sea scouts .....women in uniform .

[Travelnik]

In this day and age, is anyone over the age of 6 even impressed by titles anymore?

They all seem a bit pretentious.

Kind of like a headstone; if you didn't do anything worth remembering in your life, why should anyone care to know who you were when you are dead?

Leave a legacy, or just fade away.

The same goes for titles...do something in life, don't just be a poser with a title!

[Gabrieln]

One thing that I always found quite curious is these guys that start their post with "I'm in the army" or "I'm a police officer"... and then we can read their opinion about a furler or the size of their genoa.
Are policemen better sailors?
Here in Brazil would be quite useful if ones need to ditch a body...

I went to a military school and may have an authority issue. I don't know.

[Travelnik]

Originally Posted by Gabrieln

Here in Brazil would be quite useful if ones need to ditch a body...

Wouldn't that be better offshore with your least favorite anchor?

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by Sabbatical II

And for the other point of view, when flying, I'm always reassured when the guy down the front introduces himself as "captain".

You mean "Hi I'm Bob I'm going to driving the plane today." doesn't do it for you?

[Capt Phil]

Interesting thread... haven't thought of myself as pretentious but listening/reading to the comments of rebelheart and bobconnie both of whose opinion I respect, I'm now inclined to edit out reference to Capt in my profile even though I earned it and spent most of my life at sea. It is what folks have called me for close to 40 years both on and off the water. Those of us who are licensed know that we are held to a higher standard when driving a boat, in a bar, not so much. Capt Phil 'out'

[Bash]

Pretention is culture. Right?

(I've been taught that "culture" is is the tool used by society to maintain its adaptation to the natural world.)

(Right?)

[Nicholson58]

We got our Masters Credentials to reduce and/or obtain insurance. Now it seems it may become necessary for cruising in certain countries. I'm captain on the boat if anyone asks but on land I just introduce myself as Professional Engineer. That cost a lot more than the credentials.

Eric's (Rebel) response was in line with, "I'm Doctor _______ who is operationg on you today". There are a lot of invisible credentialed captains in the marina.

[Auzzee]

Hi Bash, regarding your signature in post #71 above, "Cruising is all about turning up--in boat shoes". I had a similar thought about people who wear a riggers knife permanently attached to their belt. We had one at out local who we duly dubbed Quick Draw McGraw.

[markpierce]

I consider myself a captain (with a small "c") when commanding a vessel. Anyone commanding a ship or boat is either a captain or a coxswain. I don't consider a small "c" captain a title or rank, only a job description and indicator of responsibility. One doesn't need the official rank or qualifications of a Captain to command a ship. Didn't most naval ship commanders had/have ranks less than Captain?

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by markpierce

I consider myself a captain (with a small "c") when commanding a vessel. Anyone commanding a ship or boat is either a captain or a coxswain. I don't consider a small "c" captain a title or rank, only a job description and indicator of responsibility. One doesn't need the official rank or qualifications of a Captain to command a ship. Didn't most naval ship commanders had/have ranks less than Captain?

I was on submarines and most "captains" in fact held the rank of commander. Usually by the time they made "full bird" they were retiring or putting their work into something more related to squadron or group level work.

So on the boat I get it, someone is the "captain", but on shore? No way.

And honestly 3/4 of the time the captain (and all officers) just went by "mister". Captain Brandes (who was a commander) was just generally "Mr. Brandes" or "skip".

All that aside, a guy with a 100 ton wearing a code flags belt introducing himself as Captain Bob at the marina is why I roll my eyes.