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* Robert Feder writes about the new Crain’s Chicago Business website…
The folks at Crain’s Chicago Business unveiled a beautifully redesigned website this week — and now they want everyone to see it.
So they’re holding an “open house” on the site, dropping their usually strict paywall and inviting non-subscribers to sample everything online for one week (including the just-released “40 under 40” list for 2014). The free peek runs through December 12 at chicagobusiness.com.
He adds…
One other change longtime readers may notice: Crain’s no longer includes those quaint courtesy titles on second reference to subjects in its stories. So it’s no more “Mr. Smith” or “Ms. Jones.” Now it’s just plain “Smith” and “Jones.”
* Zorn rejoices…
The New York Times still clings to this custom, though not in sports stories, even in referencing non-sports figures.
I chafed at the courtesy titles when I first started writing for Crain’s, but one of the most common reactions to my moving over to the magazine were the comments about how my column was now “classier,” although nobody could put their finger on why. I think that had to do more with the courtesy titles than anything else.
So, now, believe it or not, I kinda miss ‘em.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 2:56 pm
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At risk of sounding like a shill for Crains, I do hope people check it out.
I’ve got two daily sources of required reading — this and Crains. The e-mail updates from Crains are also very good. Almost every time they send one out on real estate issues, there is something worth reading.
Comment by Gooner Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 3:07 pm
I like courtesy and prefer titles. I will continue to use them as often as possible.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 3:14 pm
One of my favorite thing about the Times is their use of courtesy titles.
Comment by LincolnLounger Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 3:25 pm
Someday soon personal titles will have “retro” appeal.
Buck the trend, if you can, Mr. Miller.
Comment by walker Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 3:46 pm
I like watching “old” (even from the early 70’s) where even neighbors referred to each other as Mr. and Mrs. And I’m not above wearing a jacket or a tie (although rarely both together) to class myself up. A little. But it is a long way to go.
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 3:50 pm
I don’t know about most courtesy titles, but I really detest articles that refer to “Obama” instead of “President Obama” or “the President.” I am far from being a fan of his (quite the opposite), but the President should be referred to respectfully. Same goes for references to the governor and the governor elect, although to a much smaller degree.
Comment by Anon. Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:00 pm
I feel that “courtesy titles” add an element of
civility to an otherwise rude world. Perhaps they will make a “comeback” one of these days.
Comment by Esteban Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:05 pm
Wish they had kept the courtesy titles, for many reasons other than simple decorum or tradition for the sake of tradition.
Other than that, Crain’s is top-notch source in nearly every regard.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:17 pm
Well, yes and no. “Mr. Obama” or even “Mr. Trump” seem okay, but I have reservations about “Mr. Madoff” or “Mr. Manson.”
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:27 pm
Courtesy titles are….courteous. I will miss them. It creates some decorum for the writer and the reader. I still use them.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:31 pm
When I was a reporter, I made a point of using courtesy titles when talking with sources, even those I knew pretty well. I thought it made it clear that this was a civil but non-friend relationship.
Comment by Soccermom Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 5:08 pm
Nothing wrong with a little gratuitous courtesy.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 6:00 pm
They call me Mr. Wordslinger!
That’s Pottier and Steiger,but I’m really thinking about Tracy. Saw most of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” last night as Brady beat the Chargers.
Tracy just blows your doors off, going back to “Captain Courageous.” All the Katie movies. “Inherit the Wind”. “Bad Day at Rock Rock.” “Judgement at Nuremburg.”
Tracy, warts and all, reminds me of my old man. I aspire to them. And I have dues to pay.
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 6:05 pm
Word — Inherit the Wind is great, and I never tire of Adam’s Rib. Also State of the Union and Keeper of the Flame.
And I am not ashamed to say that I love Father of the Bride. Gosh, Elizabeth Taylor was lovely…
Comment by Soccermom Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 6:25 pm
Tracy in “State of the Union” is really good.
While you were watching Tracy, I was watching the December 7th special; From Here to Eternity. That bugle, taps, Maggio, “the treatment”…all small once the 7th came.
Wish I would have caught “Guess Whose Coning to Dinner”, my loss last night.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 8:01 pm
Since its not the 1950’s, I guess its ok…
Comment by Rhino Slider Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 8:59 pm
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner — Classic and an all-time fav, but nothing compares to Tracy as Captain Culpepper in the best comedy ever made. Watched it yesterday with my five year old, who loved every minute of it.
Mr. Tracy was something else.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 9:38 pm
I do think titles are awkward in news stories, although the NYT can get away with it, as far as I’m concerned. I was taken aback, though, by the reference to “quaint courtesy titles,” as though everyone has moved past them. I still make my kids call adults Mr. or Ms. Last Name, unless the adult in question strenuously objects. And I’m a relatively young person.
Comment by Commander Norton Tuesday, Dec 9, 14 @ 10:52 am