Cross-cultural Differences in Preferred Forms of Address: Implications for Work with African American Adults

Using an individual’s last name indicates respect and contributes to positiveinteraction with African American clients and adults of African descent. Thispaper discusses the importance of using social titles as a proper form of address during,and sometimes after, the initial professional relationship. Two case vignetteswill highlight potential difficulties that non-African American practitioners mayexperience when using first names with African Americans within the professionalrealm. The vignettes include a scenario for a supervisor and a client.