Hello, Sam! [Or should I say Ms. Weber? ;-) ] Yes, it is a reflection of cultural values. But it may also relect a conflict between values as well. Most of my students would like to be on a first name basis with me immediately. But that can blur the lines of the teacher-student relationship. My preference for titles is to reinforce the respect for each other in our respective roles-- both teacher & student. Just as you received a new name growing into womanhood, my students must earn the right to address me by first name (but outside the classroom) by demonstrating that they understand the boundaries of the student-teacher relationship. Also, students need to learn how to conform to the practice of whatever culture (or subculture) that they would enter. Most have a great deal of experience in highly informal subcultures & with one-way formal interactions, but little experience with relationships requiring reciprocal formality. I never experienced this myself until I was in college, but it is normal in the professional world that my students expect to enter upon graduation. By the way, my sister moved to Nashville, became a singer & of course, changed her name. Daniel+