Should a driver be called by his title or by his name? Nigerians argue | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Thursday, 2 April 2015

Should a driver be called by his title or by his name? Nigerians argue

Media personality Funmi Iyanda started a debate on twitter this morning after she said drivers should be addressed by their real names and not by their title. However Nigerians on Twitter raised points to oppose it. Do you agree or not? See their tweets after the cut and tell us what you think...


133 comments:

Davido's driver said...

By his name

Davido's driver said...

By his name pls, accord him some respect. Drivers r well paid in my country (nt nigeria). Lindaobserve

Unknown said...

Nah driver is driver

AbokiDaWarriBoy said...

Aww fummigation,d love I have for dis woman is so dame endless, call driver by his name!

AbokiDaWarriBoy said...

Aww fummigation,d love I have for dis woman is so dame endless, call driver by his name!

Anonymous said...

Mke I follow comment when car I never buy tak of driver...mind yaself ooo

Anonymous said...

Everything is headache!!! abeg free me joor

Unknown said...

a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
.
I think there is nothing bad in calling someone by there work name ....
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

Anonymous said...

some drivers earn more than graduates,soooooooooooooo

Unknown said...

Driver na driver! Conductor na conductor! Teacher na teacher! How else she wan paint am? Next!

Sunny white said...

I don't think there is anything wrong in calling him by the title of his job

Unknown said...

I think everybody should be addressed by
Their title.
#my opinion#

Unknown said...

Anyone as long as d drivr ain't complaining

Anonymous said...

no b graduates wey Dangote employ to drive him trucks?no b driver dem be?

BONARIO NNAGS said...

So true,driver is somewhat demeaning.

~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA LUMIA

Unknown said...

i do not see anything wrong with calling a driver by his title. it depends on individual, i profer addressing people by their name,driver, cleaner,security etc. its neither demeaning nor abasing!!

Anonymous said...

His name

linasparkle said...

No big deal abeg

Unknown said...

Is it cuz u claim to be Davido's driver? Lolz ... Well to me, I would rather use his name...

Obeisun Deborah said...

Both goes. Be it his name or title

Unknown said...

Most driver don't mind sef.
If you can call a doctor by his tittle
Why can't you call a driver by his tittle.
I don't see the issue here.

Bonita Bislam said...

Abeggi my tailor,my driver,my president,my neighbour are all titles and people can be called by it.I'm sure she calls her mother mum or mama or Iya or whatever.Why not call her with her real name?

kpekpeduke said...

Oya naw more comments roll in.

Unknown said...

A driver is a driver and shud be called a driver,, you call a doctor a doctor, so ways wrong in that? Its not disrespect

Cute G said...

Not wrong at all. It's his profession . Could also be his title. Just like "the father , my father, the king, my king".

Unknown said...

I tink we should ask "Davido's driver" aw he prefers 2 b addressed.

www.glowyshoe.com said...

I dont see anything wrong in that..we have professional drivers

www.glowyshoe.blogspot.com

Bunny said...

That's how they said Tonto shouldn't have used the word 'maid'. Useless arguments.

Unknown said...

It's no biggy...he could be called a driver

Unknown said...

Driver

Unknown said...

By his name please.

Anonymous said...

Funmi I love you, but this is just silly. Nothing wrong in it.

Anonymous said...

She doesn't have common sense. Madam good woman.

Mr 47 said...

of cause by his name. They are ppl too and they do have a family

Unknown said...

@Davido's driver, u seem 2 b in d best position 2 ans.... How do u prefer 2 b addressed???

Unknown said...

tittle

Anonymous said...

Driver is driver ojare. My oga's name is Mohammed and i call him Oga so driver na driver. Its not disrespect, its just what he is period.

LIB chairlady said...

Strongly support that... By his name pls

AbokiDaWarriBoy said...

Aww my friend willi willi is back,after hidin lol,welcome back o,we won cus nigeria decide.lol

femi said...

I do not agree with Funmi Iyanda. Driver is a profession and there is nothing wrong in addressing someone with such,it is the motive behind it that matters.

Bishop Dammy said...

By his name. To show respect. Everyone deserves that. James 4:10

ASAMPOKOTO said...

I call my driver MR ... *inserts first name* ... They are humans too. I'm with Funmi Iyanda here. a lot of people give 0respect to their staff

Unknown said...

Do U call ur boss by name?

Unknown said...

His name

pixy said...

Once u respect ur driver, he won't take offense by such frivolous stuff...but if u like call him prince...as long as u don't treat him fairly, he wud 4eva hate ur guts

Anonymous said...

She's trying to say Instead of president Buhari,jst call him Buhari.That's ok with me

COLLIN said...

Buh people can be jobless o

Anonymous said...

Himself de proud of the name na...Davido driver,if u be orubebe driver u go de proud? Lol

Anonymous said...

Technically, it's actually more respectful and professional to call him the driver....if you consider him family, then you can call him by his name...although even friends of professors call them Prof..

Vivian's blog said...

By his/her title. Just like you title doctors, lawyers, bankers even your mom. Biko there's nothing there. If you like call buhari by his name in front of him you no go find am funny. In USA they call their president, Mr President. So there's nothing bad calling a driver, my driver

Anonymous said...

He is a driver, so there is nothing wrong to address as such.

Unknown said...

Mr so so and so well be with soon.

Anonymous said...

Saying the driver or my driver in conversation with other people is fine but when addressing the person directly please use his name.

Unknown said...

Lol, its funny but that is what they do.

Unknown said...

Lol, its funny but that is what they do.

Unknown said...

Not my driver pls. No body is proud doing a menial job. So that's just it

Unknown said...

Nah..ah don't support this one.. it's best to address em with er names..

Unknown said...

That is is profession........my driver...m dctor...my mother.....my lawyer.......Unlessyou wanna address everyone bybtheir names..........then it becomes..Mr buhari and not Mr president





Moye says so via BB Passport...Courtesy LIB....





Anonymous said...

This is a non-issue . Call them driver or by their name who cares. Will always depend on the context. If someone knows your drivers name and you say haaa John is coming then they know what you mean and who you mean If they don't know your driver then wont you have to explain ? i.e oh John (That's my driver by the way...I hope I make sense .Its all about context . The early replies nailed it on the head any way ...call Lawyer, doctor, driver maid or even "my friend" is more appropriate when the person you are speaking to doesn't know or have a personal relationship with the person being referred to. - UrAnon

Anonymous said...

I am an accountant, my boss refers to me as "my accountant" aint nutin wrong with that.

Unknown said...

Funmi is right

Anonymous said...

Driving is a profession like law or teaching. If I can say my lawyer or my teacher why not my driver. What is important is tarting him well, paying him his due. It's not derogatory

Anonymous said...

Its not an insult calling someone by their profession. I feel it depends on how d person is referenced in d conversation. Oyinbo people sef when getting off d bus. They say thanks driver

King said...

That's the woman's opinion, What is right to her maybe wrong to others.

Anonymous said...

Driving is a profession like law or teaching. If I can say my lawyer or my teacher why not my driver. What is important is tarting him well, paying him his due. It's not derogatory

Anonymous said...

my doctor, my teacher, my driver......sense of humility can decide on how you say things.

Unknown said...

Depends on the relationship, there's nothing wrong about it. Linda take note!

Unknown said...

Depends on the relationship, there's nothing wrong about it. Linda take note!

Unknown said...

Depends on the relationship, there's nothing wrong about it. Linda take note!

Innocentia Annie said...

Call anyone by his or her title/profession
Driver is no exception.

Anonymous said...

Thank you oh

Unknown said...

My boss use my name, but his friends called me driver....am not asham cus dat where I get my daily bread and that is where I get my school fees. But am not happy being one so I think I like name, any1 works for me.

Yeshaazy said...

Only Nigerians make rubbish an issue. Driver is his job title and if I am talking about him to someone I will refer to him as my driver, same as I would my maid, cleaner or doctor. I was once a waitress and was referred to as that, I didn't expect to be referred to as anything else. Mchew. If my maid or driver doesn't like being referred to as that they can resign.

GALORE said...

By his name




@Galore

Unknown said...

@Funmi you are absolutely "shadow fighting". It has come to stay, it will never go away. Nomenclatures is applicable to all walks of life

Unknown said...

Toke Makinwa should get in here cos it's basically 4 her..

Anonymous said...

The big question is; what is ur mindset when u use either d name or the tittle. D MIND IS A N IMPARTIAL JUDGE U KNOW. NUF SAID!

Anonymous said...

Everyone here is arguing that a driver should be called a driver because he is a driver. This doesn't make sense. A driver is not a title. A doctor or professor is a title. You don't call a Doctor Mr X. You call them Dr. X. This is very different from the occupation that is a driver. I feel like people not wanting to refer to their drivers as Mr or Ms X when talking to then are just trying to put a social barrier between them. While I understand that a barrier must be in place to maintain health, professional relationships, refusing to call then by their name is implying that they are less than you. Not even worthy of a name. Now that is wrong. If I was just known as 'student' I would go mad.

Anonymous said...

Not face to face though

Anonymous said...

Mr haven't u ever heard of dignity in labour. The palmwine tapper or hunter in the village prides himself in his work so also a driver should.

Unknown said...

How is it demeaning? Reset your mind and be proud of who you are and what you do. As long you make a living and feed yourself and family. That's all that matters.

Shalom in Nigeria, Amen

Anonymous said...

Does this mean Funmi Iyanda's driver can call her by name rather than call her madam or address her by her title.

Funmi answer this question truthfully and honestly. Can your driver, house help or security guard call you by name?

ary said...

First of all it depends on your relationship with the said person. 2ndly: one's tone can change the word "driver" to an insult. 3rdly: weren't this the same people who were giving Tonto Dike hell for call a girl "her maid"? People=Chameleon

Unknown said...

Nigerians can be shallow though. If you can call a teacher, teacher and a mechanical engineer a mechanic. Then why can't one call a driver, driver??? Like being a driver ain't a good job?

Unknown said...

I don't see anything wrong there... Tho my dad always calls them by their first names

Anonymous said...

So when you're describing him to someone else u will say what? My 'the person that drives me' is around. Abeg make we hear word. My driver my cook my maid of them no like am make them find another job

Anonymous said...

I have A degree in psychology. I won't mind if I get this dream job - Buhari's driver. I will also print a complementary card which I will proudly send to Funmi.

Unknown said...

Hmmm... It not wrong. Sounds formal

Unknown said...

My Driver, My Teacher, My Doctor, My Lawyer, My Gym Instructor, My Stylist, My Manager, My Producer, My director. These are all titles of professions.

You only refer to them when there's a third party involved. Meet Ade, my driver. Take this contract to my manager. I am training with my Gym instructor today.

You call them by their names when talking to them personally. Like Ade i am going out in 30minutes, get the car ready.

Sadly people think being a driver isn't a worthy profession that's why calling him by that title seems demeaning. This just goes to say that one should be proud of his profession. The title driver is a lot better than yahoo boy/thief..

Anonymous said...

This is such an unnecessary debate!

Unknown said...

Nigerian, Its time u bring changes to all ur common norms that dont work inline. dont wait until they change nationwide like that of IFRS. In a normal company settings and formal office. U call people by their names respective of their profession. this is no bargain. its formal setting. thanks

Walata said...

Lol u nailed it

Walata said...

Driver na driver is the motive behind it dat matters

Sylvanus said...

A driver is a driver and should be called a driver just as the Managing Director is called the MD. There is absolute nothing wrong in it. I am currently a banker but runs a Laundry outfit managed by my wife and on several occasion when i go to pick up clothes from customer they called me Laundry man or the Drycleaner. I am never offended, it is my work and i am proud of it. If you do not want to be called a Driver then stop being a driver.

Anonymous said...

Sharrap jare..there are alot of important things you can comment on..this isnt important..what is the driver has the same name as someone else and you're talking about him to someone that knows that person with the same name as the driver..how do you differentiate huh??

NaijaDeltaBabe said...

His name na

Anonymous said...

Driver is not derogatory in any sense, only a little commonplace and passable. I'd rather 'Chauffeur' instead, as it is more flattering and more professional sounding.

Anonymous said...

If we accept my PA or my doctor , then as long as your intent is honorable, then my driver is ok. Depends on the person's intent.

prettiyz said...

By their name pls

Anonymous said...

I call my driver by his name wen he's driving me or around me, but if I am talking to any of my staff, I simply say tell my driver to... or right b4 him if am on de phone, (am sending my driver even if u know his name). I pay him 4de job, de same way I pay my accountant n lawyers n do call dem by dia titles most times so why shud I call him as well. Even his ID card carried dat. Am an interior designer n I design n build furniture, I even introduce my self as a carpenter not even a designer. So pls let's drop dis baseless argument cus u shud be proud of wat ever u decide to do to make a living. Check us out www.shereinteriors.com FF us on instagram Shereinteriors and see r bespoke designs n furniture

optimisticlady said...

What about those who call their doctor by his./her job title?its the way it is....







Anonymous said...

Like the captain, my husband, my driver etc. U call names when addressing dat person directly

Juleslouis said...

It all depends on d way d title or d names r used. Some people will still call u your name and u will feel disrespected cuz of d way its called. If u call him a driver politely its not demeaning.

Mufliat said...

So does it mean that when I enter any commercial bus I should start asking for †he driver and conductors name? If I hear. I could remember a conductor gt mad at me for calling him conductor while asking for my change telling me I should call him by his name that what if his wife was in †he bus evry1 in †he bus just bursted into laughter. Driver na driver abeg. #Hajia Mufliat

Anonymous said...

biko call him by his name...no condition is permanent, he might be in a position to help u 2mao


MISSVEE

David Iyke said...

Iyanda,remember thath in your Etisalat advert,you called your PA to go to the nearest Etisalat centre to get you a line!He no get name?

Abdul Adepetu said...

Hehehe, kai! Nigerians.Call your driver by name. Eat with him, treat him right. Describe him as your driver. But call him by his name. With all protocol observed. YES! DIGNITY IN LABOUR

Chop Chop said...

By name either by first or last name.

Anonymous said...

Lol

Anonymous said...

I think she has mis expressed herself. What she means is not calling a driver, Driver "eg. Driver! come and take the keys!" his name should rather be used. Nd Driver is not a certified tittle where you write a board exam and gain the tittle like : Doctor or Engineer.

W.G. said...

I personally call my dad's drivers by their names. Thats just me. That said, I don't see anything demeaning in calling them by "the driver". I understand doctors or lawyers are professions that require going to college and getting trained so society doesn't have a problem calling them by their title. In fact, we prefer it. So what Mrs Iyanda (don't know if she's married as I don't know who the fuck she is) is full of shit. Cos I'm sure she refers to her doctor as "the doctor" or "my doctor", which is rightfully his/her title. If anything, she is the one putting up social barriers by insinuating that being a driver is demeaning.

Subomi said...

I'm on both sides. Personally I'll rather call name instead if my driver, but I don't see why we should try force people into doing same, points raised are accurate, if there is my teacher, my doctor, my maid, my pastor, there can be my driver, I just happen to personally prefer not to use it.

Anonymous said...

Why in the world should anyone call a fellow human being "driver" when he has a name? Nigerians are such slave drivers! You never know tomorrow. Always show respect no matter what.

rodypiper said...

Man, the proper and professional word is "Chauffeur". You do not address a driver as "DRIVER" na wa o. Yes it is a borrowed French word in the English Language.

TobyTale said...

If you can call Barrack Obama or Gen. Buhari the president why shouldn't you in the driver's case. Dignity in Labour

NONYE said...

FOR THOSE ADDRESSING DRIVING AS A PROFESSION SHOULD KNOW DRIVING IS NT A PROFESSION,AND SOMEONE DRIVING SHOULD NT BE CALLED A DRIVER OR MY DRIVER,PLS

Unknown said...

Lolz

Unknown said...

Lolz

Anonymous said...

she's obviously jobless.
people say...My Boss.
My Manager.
My girlfriend.
Whats wrong with my driver?

Anonymous said...

His job title is driver abeg! you can call him Mr so so so. but his position is a driver.

Unknown said...

Institute of Chartered Economist of Nigeria, ICEN (Ibadan branch) to become a member i.e ACE, FCE, Doctorate etc, contact 08034200774, 07059808195

Anonymous said...

Shud be called chauffer

Unknown said...

For ur mind@detector

Unknown said...

Simple...if he/she doesnt like d tittle he shuld quit ni...ntiin is wrong in callin some1 a driver

Anonymous said...

FUNMI IYANADA, PLEASE SHUT THE FUCK UP. YOU ARE SEEKING STUPID ATTENTION, BECOS IT SEEMS YOUR DAYS OF GLORY ARE GRADUALLY COMING TO AN END. YOUR TIME DON PASS, AND IT SEEMS LIKE U ARE SCARED TO ALLOW THE YOUNGER ONES REIGN SMALL (THAT'S THE WAY U PORTRAY IT)

SOMEONE IN UR POSITION SPEWING THIS SHIT. NIGERIA HAS MORE ECONOMIC ISSUES TO BE BOTHERED ABOUT, THAN WHAT U CHOOSE TO CALL UR DOMESTIC STAFF. IF THEY DONT LIKE IT, LET THEM FUCKING COMPLAIN TO THEIR 'OGAS'.

WHAT IS NEXT THING NOW IS HOW BUHARI WILL ACTUALIZE OUR TRUST IN HIM. MADAM - SORRY, MISS IYANDA, PLS FACE BETA ISSUES THAN TO BE TALKING AND SEEKING ATTENTION LIKE AN 18 YEAR OLD THAT U CAN NEVER BE AGAIN!!!

LINDA TAKE NOTE AND STOP PUBLISHING EVERY THING

Anonymous said...

Ehn! She should come and see where drivers/chauffeurs are earning more than some 'office' people here, na only 9ja go demeaning TITLE and ROLES, even mechanic $200 to change something for you, dey there dey jones. They like the title well. *repping from Afar*

kLx said...

I dont see anytin bad in callin a driver a driver, thats hi for God sake, bt I always call my driver by name anyway nt bcos he's too big to be called a driver but simply bcos I see him more like a friend we talk a lot n we are cool together...bt if at anytime I hav a less friendly driver I might be false to call him driver instead of his name. In addition to this, I always sit in the front with my driver just bcos we are cool together, nt every driver wil av dis privilege from me anyway..

tayo said...

it is a title of the job, just like nurse, doctor or lawyer.pls there is no big deal calling someone a driver.

Anonymous said...

Hihihi...TrueTalk!

Anonymous said...

Gbam!

Anonymous said...

What I don't understand here is why a normal person would chose to call him self Davido's driver just for attentions.Dont you go to church?,why not his boss,I mean what sense of humor is in here...and btw dignity of Labor is all that matters.Nigerians should stop raising such issues,either ways you call em is how you want it.....Buh then,you still have to Change ur name young man don't limit your destiny because of a blog

Unknown said...

Yeah... that's true.
If you know the Driver's name ... call him by it.
Even in a commercial bus, I don't go start calling conductor or driver... I called them Bros or Sir, only when they refuse to answer to that because possibly they are use to the driver thing and conductor people call them.
Check it yourself... have you noticed how a woman grown enough to be a wife to someone or a mother but still single reacts when you call them Madam? though that's a different thing all together but what about when you call your Security Officer "GATE MAN" or when you even call an Hausa man "ABOKI"
These names might not mean anything but it's just the feelings within the heart of men that makes it looks different.

Unknown said...

By his name is better, he will feel free & happy

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