History Main / TheyCallMeMisterTibbs

[[TropeCodifier The trope is named]] for Creator/SidneyPoitier's famous line from ''Film/InTheHeatOfTheNight'', where a black Philadelphia detective, Virgil Tibbs, is in a bigoted part of the South, and is asked what people call him where he comes from with the asker using multiple racial diminutives and slurs. ''Mister'' Tibbs responds with affirmation of his experience and value.

* The TropeNamer, ''Film/InTheHeatOfTheNight''. "They call me ''Mister'' Tibbs!"
** ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: The phrase made such an impression that it became the title of the sequel: ''They Call Me'' Mister ''Tibbs!''

** Mr. Chekhov acknowledging orders from Spock, who's the Captain in Pike's absence; "Aye Commander, uh... er... Captain. Sorry, ''Captain''."

* In ''{{Smallville}}'', everyone around [[{{Superman}} Clark]]'s age call his mother "Mrs. Kent", although she sometimes asks the closer ones to just call her Martha.

* BostonLegal had a fun subversion of the common type of this.

* In HilariBell's ''KnightAndRogueSeries'' novel ''The Last Knight'', Michael comments on how Fisk always calls him Sir -- or Noble Sir, if angry -- even though asked to call him Michael.

'''Carter''': It is appropriate to refer to a person by their rank, not their salutation. You should call me Captain, not Doctor.

* In Creator/PatriciaCWrede's ''ThirteenthChild'', Eff is shocked when William calls her "Miss Rothmer." Her twin brother Lan says she should be used to it, having put her hair up; Eff protests -- but not from William; William points out that "Miss Eff" and "Miss Francine" would be worse.

** Fitz-Simmons are each in possession of two Ph.D.s, which leads to some confusion among the other character as to whether they should call them "Dr" or not if they're not calling them "Agent". Skye at one point mocks Simmons (who's TheMedic for the team, but not actually a medical doctor) by calling her "Dr Simmons", but she actually [[AvertedTrope averts]] this trope by ''not'' pointing out that that's her title anyway; and in fact Simmons herself on one occasion calls Fitz "Dr Fitzy" when encouraging him to act as her assistant on a medical procedure, even though again, he technically is anyway. Simmons bosses at the [[spoiler:HYDRA]] laboratory don't do much better, as one addresses her as "Ms Simmons" while the other consistently calls her "Dr Simmons", though again it's not her who brings it up.
** There's also a few examples of the second type of this trope: when Simmons (or any other friendly ally) addresses Bobbi Morse as "Agent Morse" or "Ms Morse", she'll insist they should "Call me Bobbi." Meanwhile, despite the above, Coulson tells Victoria Hand to call him Phil in the immediate aftermath of the dissolution of S.H.I.E.L.D. when she still addresses him as "Agent Coulson".

** Fitz-Simmons are each in possession of two Ph.D.s, which leads to some confusion among the other character as to whether they should call them "Dr" or not if they're not calling them "Agent". Skye at one point mocks Simmons (who's TheMedic for the team, but not actually a medical doctor) by calling her "Dr Simmons", but she actually {{Averts}} this trope by ''not'' pointing out that that's her title anyway; and in fact Simmons herself on one occasion calls Fitz "Dr Fitzy" when encouraging him to act as her assistant on a medical procedure, even though again, he technically is anyway. Simmons bosses at the [[spoiler:HYDRA]] laboratory don't do much better, as one addresses her as "Ms Simmons" while the other consistently calls her "Dr Simmons".

* ''TheDreamlandChronicles'': [[http://www.thedreamlandchronicles.com/the-dreamland-chronicles/chapter-08/page-495/ Nicodemus insists on acknowledgement]]

* In ''ImpureBlood'', [[http://www.impurebloodwebcomic.com/Pages/Chapter001/ib003.html Caspian, a merchant's son, is called "lord".]]
* In ''{{Roza}}'' [[http://www.junglestudio.com/roza/?date=2007-06-03 we are to be addressed as 'Your Highness'. . . but you may call me 'Prince Aryon']]
* In ''{{Sinfest}}'' [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3336 No one has ever called me "Ms. Fuschia". . . .He called me "Ms. Fuschia"]]

* ''{{Selkie}}'' contains a type one: It's ''Professor'' Trunchbull.

* Sir Alan Sugar, the Donald Trump of the [[TheBBC UK]] [[TransatlanticEquivalent version]] of ''Series/TheApprentice''. Watching the show you'd think "Siralan" was one word, and indeed it became a moderately popular FanNickname. Unfortunately, the similarly obsequious insistence on referring to him as "Lord Sugar" now he's come up in the world has put an end to that name (and made him sound like a pimp instead).

-->'''Brent:''' (as [[PatrickStewart Stewart]]) My friends call me Patrick. You may call me Mr. Stewart. In fact, you may call me ''SIR'' Mr. Stewart.

* Brent Spiner does an amusing version of this while imitating PatrickStewart at a convention, shown [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQcammV9G1Y here]]

Note that this happens in real life, making it an example of TruthInTelevision; however, it is also typically notable in media set in and from [[PeriodPiece previous periods]] (such as most JaneAusten works). Compare FirstNameBasis, FullNameBasis, and LastNameBasis; contrast TheMagnificent; and compare/contrast TermsOfEndangerment. If this is a RunningGag, then it becomes InsistentTerminology and possibly a LargeHamTitle. See {{Honorifics}} for the East Asian equivalents.

* When Aerith first talks to Barret in FinalFantasyVII:

* In ''FanFic/MakeAWish'' a shopkeeper with a touch of seer ability gave Harry a passport bearing the alias "Padamus Da Grim Nomed Black." After an awkward encounter with a customs agent in the Netherlands, anyone who asked for his name was told simply "Black." Requests for a first name were met with "Mister."
* ''FanFic/HarrysNewHome'' has Sirius insisting to Harry to call him by his name after Harry gave him a horrible MaamShock and addressed him as Mister Black.

* In the ''FrontLineTheatre'' play "Ham For Sale", while JackBenny is obnoxiously intruding upon the rehearsal of a dramatic play with BasilRathbone and BarbaraStanwyck:

* In the educational setting, most teachers and administrators (and to a lesser extent, support staff) expect their students to address them by a courtesy title -- Mr., Mrs. or Miss; Coach, if they are a coach; an administrative title, such as Principal or Superintendent; or Dr. if they have a Ph.D -- and their surname, especially in the classroom, or short of that, "sir" or "ma'am." Sometimes, teachers with particularly long or difficult-to-pronounce last names will allow them to refer to them by a shortened last name along with the courtesy title (e.g., "Mrs. K" for Mrs. Krabappel). Usually, they will correct a student who errantly refers to them by their given name, although rare exceptions are allowed for close family -- that is, it would be silly for a teacher or principal to expect his son to address him "Mr." at school. The point, however, is for the students to show respect and to remind students that it is the adults, not the students, who are in charge.

->''"Moving parts in rubbing contact require lubrication to avoid excessive wear. Honorifics and formal politeness provide lubrication where people rub together. Often the very young, the untraveled, the naive, the unsophisticated deplore these formalities as empty, meaningless, or dishonest, and scorn to use them. No matter how pure their motives, they thereby throw sand into machinery that does not work too well at best."''

* ''227'': Twisted and inverted in this mid-to-late 1980s African-American situation comedy starring Marla Gibbs. One episode saw Gibbs' character, Mary Jenkins, get after her teen-aged daughter, Brenda, after she refers to a neighbor � building floozy Sandra Clark (Jackee Harry) by her first name. Even though "Mrs. Clark" freely allowed her teen-aged neighbors to call her by her first name ("Call me Sandra!"), Mary's rules were otherwise.

* ''The Judge'': This 1980s courtroom drama played it both ways, depending on the content. In one episode, Judge Franklin (the series' main protagonist) is being examined as a witness, a rare episode where he is not on the bench; he gives a minor slip when the presiding judge speaks, and in a friendly way the judge reminds him this is a formal court proceeding and that in this case, he is "your honor." They laugh about it, the mistake is never repeated again and things go on like normal. In a later episode, wherein a teenaged boy is seeking emancipation from his overbearing father, an Army colonel, the colonel is frustrated that the case is not going his way and � in addition to overstepping his authority � addresses Judge Franklin by his first name, Bob. Judge Franklin does not take too kindly to that, and after angrily reminding him that in the courtroom it is the judge who gives the orders, he is to be referred to as "Your Honor."

* Bob Backlund, during his mid-1990s heel gimmick as a highly volatile, out-of-touch elder wrestler who considered "the new generation" rude and disrespectful, often demanded that fans and interviewers address him "Mr. Backlund," and there'd be hell to pay if they refused. On television, several segments aired where he was seen interacting with young fans and � among other comically ridiculous stipulations that included such things as naming all the presidents in chronological order within 45 seconds (and no "ums" or "ahs") � refusing to sign his autograph if they didn't comply with his requests.

* In the educational setting, most teachers and administrators (and to a lesser extent, support staff) expect their students to address them by a courtesy title � Mr., Mrs. or Miss; Coach, if they are a coach; an administrative title, such as Principal or Superintendent; or Dr. if they have a Ph.D ï¿½ and their surname, especially in the classroom, or short of that, "sir" or "ma'am." Sometimes, teachers with particularly long or difficult-to-pronounce last names will allow them to refer to them by a shortened last name along with the courtesy title (e.g., "Mrs. K" for Mrs. Krabappel). Usually, they will correct a student who errantly refers to them by their given name, although rare exceptions are allowed for close family � that is, it would be silly for a teacher or principal to expect his son to address him "Mr." at school. The point, however, is for the students to show respect and to remind students that it is the adults, not the students, who are in charge.
* Many clergymen � outside of their closest friends and family � expect that parishioners will refer to them by their title (e.g., "Pastor," "Reverend," "Rabbi," etc.) and their last name, although some are fine with people using the first name in combination with their title (e.g., "Pastor Dan").
* Years ago, before social conventions became relaxed, minors were often expected to refer to adults � the exceptions needing to be explicitly stated � by a courtesy title and their last name, or "sir" or "ma'am." This sometimes included dating relationships, where the date would be expected to address to his/her significant other's parents with the courtesy title Mr. and Mrs.
** In business relationships, where the customer service representative was speaking with a client they did not otherwise have an established relationship with (previous or personal), they might be expected to call them "Mr." or "Mrs.," or short of that, sir or ma'am. Also, in some businesses or companies, subordinate workers might be asked � at least initially � to refer to their superiors by Mr. or Mrs., although many are informal enough that they are allowed to call their supervisors and bosses by first name almost immediately.
* In the courtroom, in addition to attorneys referring to adult litigants, witnesses and defendants (and sometimes, minors over a certain age) by a courtesy title and last name, everyone is expected to refer to judges as "Your Honor" or, short of that, "Judge (last name)." Depending on the context of someone who erroneously addresses a judge, the response may range from a gentle reminder � usually, for younger witnesses � to a contempt of court citation (for those who blatantly disrespect the judge); usually it will be a firm reprimand followed by more severe measures for repeat offenses.

->''"Moving parts in rubbing contact require lubrication to avoid excessive wear. Honorifics and formal politeness provide lubrication where people rub together. Often the very young, the untraveled, the naive, the unsophisticated deplore these formalties as �empty,� �meaningless,� or �dishonest,� and scorn to use them. No matter how pure their motives, they thereby throw sand into machinery that does not work too well at best."''

->''"Moving parts in rubbing contact require lubrication to avoid excessive wear. Honorifics and formal politeness provide lubrication where people rub together. Often the very young, the untraveled, the naive, the unsophisticated deplore these formalties as ‘empty,’ ‘meaningless,’ or ‘dishonest,’ and scorn to use them. No matter how pure their motives, they thereby throw sand into machinery that does not work too well at best."''

* ''227'': Twisted and inverted in this mid-to-late 1980s African-American situation comedy starring Marla Gibbs. One episode saw Gibbs' character, Mary Jenkins, get after her teen-aged daughter, Brenda, after she refers to a neighbor – building floozy Sandra Clark (Jackee Harry) by her first name. Even though "Mrs. Clark" freely allowed her teen-aged neighbors to call her by her first name ("Call me Sandra!"), Mary's rules were otherwise.

* ''The Judge'': This 1980s courtroom drama played it both ways, depending on the content. In one episode, Judge Franklin (the series' main protagonist) is being examined as a witness, a rare episode where he is not on the bench; he gives a minor slip when the presiding judge speaks, and in a friendly way the judge reminds him this is a formal court proceeding and that in this case, he is "your honor." They laugh about it, the mistake is never repeated again and things go on like normal. In a later episode, wherein a teenaged boy is seeking emancipation from his overbearing father, an Army colonel, the colonel is frustrated that the case is not going his way and – in addition to overstepping his authority – addresses Judge Franklin by his first name, Bob. Judge Franklin does not take too kindly to that, and after angrily reminding him that in the courtroom it is the judge who gives the orders, he is to be referred to as "Your Honor."

* One opening Sketch from SaturdayNightLive: Had Tom Hanks hosting for the seventh time (a big deal then) and being welcomed into the 'seven timers club' which was run, of course, by Steve Martin.

* Bob Backlund, during his mid-1990s heel gimmick as a highly volatile, out-of-touch elder wrestler who considered "the new generation" rude and disrespectful, often demanded that fans and interviewers address him "Mr. Backlund," and there'd be hell to pay if they refused. On television, several segments aired where he was seen interacting with young fans and – among other comically ridiculous stipulations that included such things as naming all the presidents in chronological order within 45 seconds (and no "ums" or "ahs") – refusing to sign his autograph if they didn't comply with his requests.

* In the educational setting, most teachers and administrators (and to a lesser extent, support staff) expect their students to address them by a courtesy title – Mr., Mrs. or Miss; Coach, if they are a coach; an administrative title, such as Principal or Superintendent; or Dr. if they have a Ph.D – and their surname, especially in the classroom, or short of that, "sir" or "ma'am." Sometimes, teachers with particularly long or difficult-to-pronounce last names will allow them to refer to them by a shortened last name along with the courtesy title (e.g., "Mrs. K" for Mrs. Krabappel). Usually, they will correct a student who errantly refers to them by their given name, although rare exceptions are allowed for close family – that is, it would be silly for a teacher or principal to expect his son to address him "Mr." at school. The point, however, is for the students to show respect and to remind students that it is the adults, not the students, who are in charge.
* Many clergymen – outside of their closest friends and family – expect that parishioners will refer to them by their title (e.g., "Pastor," "Reverend," "Rabbi," etc.) and their last name, although some are fine with people using the first name in combination with their title (e.g., "Pastor Dan").
* Years ago, before social conventions became relaxed, minors were often expected to refer to adults – the exceptions needing to be explicitly stated – by a courtesy title and their last name, or "sir" or "ma'am." This sometimes included dating relationships, where the date would be expected to address to his/her significant other's parents with the courtesy title Mr. and Mrs.
** In business relationships, where the customer service representative was speaking with a client they did not otherwise have an established relationship with (previous or personal), they might be expected to call them "Mr." or "Mrs.," or short of that, sir or ma'am. Also, in some businesses or companies, subordinate workers might be asked – at least initially – to refer to their superiors by Mr. or Mrs., although many are informal enough that they are allowed to call their supervisors and bosses by first name almost immediately.
* In the courtroom, in addition to attorneys referring to adult litigants, witnesses and defendants (and sometimes, minors over a certain age) by a courtesy title and last name, everyone is expected to refer to judges as "Your Honor" or, short of that, "Judge (last name)." Depending on the context of someone who erroneously addresses a judge, the response may range from a gentle reminder – usually, for younger witnesses – to a contempt of court citation (for those who blatantly disrespect the judge); usually it will be a firm reprimand followed by more severe measures for repeat offenses.

** Vergo insists on being called Vergo-san. Law refuses to do so up until the final moment right before [[spoiler:he slices Vergo into two.]]

[[folder:Film]]

* The second variant is played for humor in ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo''. Not knowing the sea turtle's name, Marlin calls him "mister turtle". As it turns out, [[SpeciesSurname "Turtle"]] ''[[SpeciesSurname is]]'' [[SpeciesSurname his surname]] - "Dude, Mr. Turtle is my ''father''. Name's Crush."
* A Pimp Named Slickback in ''TheBoondocks'' is possibly the weirdest example of this. You can't just call him Slickback, a Pimp, or even [[RuleOfFunny "this person"]] apparently, it's like A Tribe Called Quest: you have to say the whole thing, [[OverlyLongGag all the fucking time.]]
* From ''Disney/TheLionKing'':
-->'''Banzai:''' Hey! Who's the pig?
-->'''Pumbaa:''' [[YouTalkinToMe Are you talking to me]]?
-->'''Timon:''' Uh oh, he called him a pig.
-->'''Pumbaa:''' Are you talking to ''me''?!
-->'''Timon:''' You shouldn't have done that.
-->'''Pumbaa:''' ''Are YOU talking to ME?!''''
-->'''Timon:''' Now, they're in for it.
-->'''Pumbaa:''' They call me ''[[BerserkButton Mister]]'' Pig! '''[[BerserkButton AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!]]'''
** And from earlier in the movie:
--->'''Simba:''' Look, Banana-Beak is scared.
--->'''Zazu:''' That's ''Mister'' Banana-Beak to you, fuzzy!

* From ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}'', after Jafar makes himself sultan:
-->'''Sultan:''' You vile betrayer!\\
'''Iago:''' That's ''Sultan'' Vile Betrayer to you!
** From ''The Return Of Jafar'':
--->'''Abis Mal:''' Who are you?
--->'''Aladdin:''' My friends call me Al, but ''you'' can call me Aladdin.

* In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'', there's the following exchange after Mr. Potato Head claims that Sheriff Woody intentionally knocked Buzz Lightyear out the window.
-->'''Woody:''' Wait a minute, you--you don't think I meant to knock Buzz out the window, do you, Potato Head?\\
'''Mr. Potato Head:''' That's ''Mister'' Potato Head to you, you back-stabbin' murderer!
** In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3'', Mr. Potato Head does it again when [[spoiler:he [[GreatEscape purposefully]] tries to get sent to the Box]], and during the opening sequence there's [[spoiler:"That's ''Mister'' Evil Doctor Porkchop to you!"]]

* In ''LiloAndStitch'', as Dr. Jumba Jookiba is all too fond to point out, he "prefer[s] to be called EVIL GEN-EE-OUS!!!"

* ''MyDadTheRockStar'': When Skunk first approached Buzz Sawchuck, he asked "Mr. Sawchuck?" and Buzz replied that was his father.
* ''PhineasAndFerb'': When Candace got a job as a lifeguard, she first addressed her boss as "Mr. Webber" and he said that Mr. Webber was his father and he was to be called "''Captain'' Webber".
* From the ''FamilyGuy'' episode "Seahorse Seashell Party", during Meg's ThereasonYouSuckSpeech.

** Individuals will also be referred to as his/her command's name, especially when arriving or leaving formal visits to other ships or stations. The announcement would be "Third Fleet, Arriving," or "Vicksburg, departing.

[[TropeCodifier The trope is named]] for Creator/SidneyPoitier's famous line from ''Film/InTheHeatOfTheNight'', where an educated black Philadelphia detective, Virgil Tibbs, is in a bigoted part of the South, and is asked what people call him where he comes from with the asker using multiple racial diminutives and slurs. ''Mister'' Tibbs responds with affirmation of his experience and value.