[RNajarian]

My given name is Raffi, a traditional Armenian male name. Growing up in Chesterland Ohio there were three races, white, African American, and Asian (then referred to as “Oriental” which has now fallen out of favor.) Very few had heard the name Raffi.

In grade school I remember a teacher once asking me “What the hell kind of name is Raffi?”
My reply “My name.”

Occasionally I would receive correspondence with the salutation Miss. or Ms. Normally I would pay it no matter. If needed I would correct the sender. After I turned 26 the salutation changed to the gender neutral Dr. and I haven’t had any “problems” since.

My college where I teach has the option to put He/Him, She/Her, They/Them in our email signature lines and under our name in Zoom meetings. I’m not interested to add my identification mainly because it is pretty obvious which team I play for by looking at my profile photo.

When in doubt I will either address an individual by given and sir name or at the college I can add the salutation “Professor” or “Doctor.” Military correspondence makes it easy because everyone has a gender neutral rank. Civilians always seem to put their correct salutation in their signature line.

If I ever get a Miss., Ms., or Mr. salutation wrong, I apologize, ask what is the proper title then move on.