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I can only go on what people who've met Presidents have said and it seems one of two things happens, either they get a little paper with the rules for addressing the President written on it (and other little rules like standing up when the President enters the room, etc--this is common practice in the UK when meeting the Queen) or they're briefed on etiquette by a WH staffer who works in the Chief of Protocol's office. I know the first Congress debated (for a month) on how to refer to the President and settled on "Mr. President.". John Adams, then VP presiding over the Senate suggested either "His Majesty the President" or "His High Mightiness, the President of the United States and Protector of Their Liberties." Which won him derision from the Senators, who dubbed him "his rotundity" in response. Apparently, Madison insisted on "Mr. President" and it was decided by the "committee on names and titles" and settled on informally, as unless it's inserted in an odd bill, there's no vote in either the House or the Senate in either of the two sessions of the 1st Congress on it. Oddly, I can't find an official protocol guide (I would think there's one) but only searched briefly but I know the White House Gift Shop sells and recommends "United States Protocol The Guide to Official Diplomatic Etiquette" by former Ambassador Mary French (forward by Bill Clinton) which apparently covers official protocol at all levels (state, national, foreign, military, etc).
Would it violate ettiquette if Harrier addresed the president as President Obama?
Would it violate ettiquette if Harrier addresed the president as President Obama?
I don't think so. To me, if say, you were posing a question to the President, you could say "Mr. President...." or "President Obama..." and either one would be technically correct, although it seems "Mr. President" is more common. I can see a situation, say you were at a function that included the President and the ex-Presidents, referring to him that way specifically would actually make more sense, since all of them would answer to "Mr. President."
It's Mr. President. That hasn't changed since George Washington told people he prefers to be just called Mr. President instead of Your Excellency, Your Majesty, etc.
Mr. President, of course. I'd even call Judge Judy "Your Honor", even though she makes $40m/year to be a daytime TV celebrity. Cultural standards for etiquette are usually a good thing.
I love Judge Judy and I hope she is paying Burt a cool million. Even though I was never brain dead enough to vote for Obama I would still respect the office and call him Mr President.
Harrier has been reading novels that have a fictional U.S. president character.
The other characters in these books typically refer to the president as "Mr. President", or "Sir".
On this forum, Harrier refers to the president as. " President Obama" and would do so if he met the president face to face.
How would you address the current president if you met him in person?
Considering this president has done nothing to earn respect, I'd call him Barry or Bambi, or maybe just say "hey old jugs ears".
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