In the past, Susan C. Young emphasizes that showing respect to elders often involved using formal titles like Mr. or Mrs. This practice was ingrained during her upbringing and created a sense of respect. However, when her own children were growing up, she found it unsettling when some of their friends addressed her by her first name, Susan, feeling it lacked respect. To navigate this, they agreed that the children would call her Ms. Susan, which struck a better balance between formality and familiarity.

Young suggests that this issue may be more common in certain regions, such as the South, where traditional respect is highly valued. She stresses the importance of being aware of social cues and the impact of addressing someone appropriately, as this awareness can help prevent misunderstandings and foster positive interactions among people of varying ages and backgrounds.