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Is it appropriate to use [先生]{せんせい}, either by itself or as an honorific after
their name, when addressing a ski instructor?

I'm not sure whether it'd be appropriate because:

  1. Using 先生 in this context may be disrespectful of other kinds of teachers, in that skiing instructor may be a less honorable profession than other kinds of teaching.
  2. It may be too formal or cold or impersonal, and therefore not appropriate for a recreational activity.
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2011-12-31T05:49:52.607
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honorifics sports
Is it appropriate to use [先生]{せんせい} when addressing a ski instructor?
It's fine for ski instructors and pretty much anyone else who teaches you
something.

Using it as an honorific after the name is a little more formal than just
using `先生` by itself. But it conveys your respect and appreciation for the
fact that they are imparting their knowledge to you. I think it's possible
someone might correct you and say that just `さん` is fine, but I can't imagine
anyone being bothered in any sense of it being inappropriate.

  1. It's not disrespectful to other teachers. Simply put, who you address as `先生` has no bearing on who else is addressed as `先生`.

  2. It's not too cold or informal, and can be kind of a fun joke. Sometimes I'll ask someone at a store or a waiter at a restaurant for clarification on some Japanese, and then say something like `「有難う、先生」`. Gets a chuckle.
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2011-12-31T06:13:26.743
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2011-12-31T06:13:26.743
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You can use 先生 to anyone who teaches anything in Japan. In traditional sports
or arts, Japanese use [師匠]{ししょう}.
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2012-01-01T01:51:24.693
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2012-01-02T11:44:40.850
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I'd never call my ski instructor '--さん'. Nor have I ever called my calligraphy
teacher '--さん' or '師匠'.
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2012-01-04T09:25:48.110
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