Two observations:
When I was in college over a half century ago, my professors and administrators addressed me as “Field” which I did not like or Mr. Field. (I once asked a professor to call me either Mr. Field or Robert, but not just Field.)
Today the dean’s letter of commendation addresses son Benjamin by his first name. (She signs it with her first and last name.)
There may or may not be a significance to this other than the passing of time and changing of custom. However, being referred to by my last name carried the message to me that I no longer was a high school student, a kid. Rather, I now was in college and had earned the right to be respectfully addressed as a young adult.
In my correspondence and initial meetings, I address strangers as Mr. or Ms. This includes young people once they reach adulthood.
And when I meet youngsters and ask their names and they only respond with their first name, I admonish them to always give both their first and last names. I explain to them the former implies ‘little, unimportant me’; the latter signals someone who anticipates a bright future. By and large, people are treated the way they expect to be treated.
