Reply #51: Ever watch the courtroom scene from A Few Good Men? The judge

[Ilsa]

also told the Colonel that he was sure he had earned his title, too.

The use of "ma'am" and "Miss Hill" instead of their best professional titles is a put-down. It is a way to diminish the accomplishments of those people so others won't take them seriously.

If I am talking to my son's doctor about his health, I call him Dr. X. If I see that same person out in public and we are speaking to one another as friends, I use his first name, and he does the same. If I introduce him to another person, I use the term "Dr." It is appropriate manners and protocol. It shows respect.