On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:20:19 -0500, Molesworth
wrote:

In article ,
Bruce in Bangkok wrote:

On Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:28:41 -0500, Molesworth
wrote:

In article ,
Bruce in Bangkok wrote:


In the some sixty years that I've been messing around in boats I have
never heard a professional seaman refer to himself as "the good
captain" so I assume that you are some sort of ignoramus that knows
nothing and rates right along side such other sterling examples of
stupidity as the Good Captain Neil and Wilbur (the guy that can't
spell his name correctly) for competency.

I sailed into harbor in W Fla for the night and was addressed as
'Captain' by the dockie. I was single-handing but I still squirm with
embarrassment as I don't consider myself to be experienced enough to
earn that title.

And I don't know when/if I'll be comfortable with it either.

However, someone has to be in charge (me).. Hmm, a quandary!

It is common courtesy to address the master of a vessel as "Captain"
but one does not introduce one's self as Captain unless one is a
serving military officer in which case it is proper to announce one's
rank, primarily so that others know how to address you.

But 'Corporal' doesn't have the same ring, now does it?

LOL

However, I can live with 'Skipper'.


I didn't want to get into all the details of military service and
protocol but in the military it is only polite to inform others of
your rank as it forewarns them on how you are to be treated. Do we
send a staff car? Which quarters are to be assigned and so on.

I met a bloke one evening as I was arriving at a new base. He was
wearing a pair of utility trousers and an old flight jacket with no
insignia. I spent some time informing this new bloke of all the horror
stories I had heard about the new squadron. The next morning when I
marched in, all polished and spit shined, to report to the new
commander guess who it was. It would have been far less embarrassing
to me, at least, if he had been wearing his rank badges like he should
have been.



Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)