Caltech students in Hawking's lecture

Joe_Caltech_04
Wed, 04 Apr 2007 20:07:24 +0000

Frankly I’ve always called professors “Professor” unless they tell me to use their given name, even if I have known them for years. Of course many professors at Caltech will tell you to use their first name, but as far as I’m concerned that’s their choice. It’s fine if others disagree with this, but it honestly makes me feel more comfortable–I would have felt terribly presumptuous greeting (former) President Baltimore with “hey Dave!” or something along those lines.

But saying “hi” or “hello” is another thing entirely. This might be as much a cultural differences thing as anything else, and you can assure your dad that Stephen Hawking spents enough time in California to be aware of the prevailing customs for greetings.