DEAR ABBY: I'm a college senior (female) who spends a lot of time with my professors. This includes extracurricular functions and receptions.
I have always addressed them as "professor." But lately, they have been signing e-mails (personal ones) with their first names. Does this mean they want me to call them by their first names? Or should I just continue addressing them as "professor"? -- COLLEGE SENIOR IN N.C.
DEAR COLLEGE SENIOR: Until you graduate, continue to address them using their titles. After that, ask them what they would like you to call them. But for now, using the titles they have earned shows respect.