I’m sorry my explanation was not good enough.
I should have mentioned that our culture is totally family name oriented, which is quite opposite to the U.S. style.
In that way, at office or any social places we call each other “family name + san” until we get close to each other enough to call “first name + san” or “first name + chan”.

Back to my story, for example,
I called Kinako-san and Inko-san nevertheless it was first time meeting with them (both are first name. normally I should call them their family name followed by san) and this is maybe because they use nickname, or their first name sounds so unique and much more stands out from their family name.

I’m so sorry for confusing way of my expression. (-_-;)

@Walter,

You can call me whatever you want to
Please never worry about “san” or “chan” or anything.
Actually as far as I blog in English, you don’t have to follow our (Japanese) honorific rules at all! Just call me Kirin, and that’s fine with me.

I should’ve explained -kun, for boys as you mention. (@_@;) Gee…it’s not easy to tell people how we use our language. I’m far from a Japanese teacher, forgive me of my poor explanation. I’ll try some better ways next time!

Dutch used to know around 40 to 50 honorifics, depending on the profession, diploma, level of priesthood ( from priest to pope ) , royalty, military, etc..
They’re still in use , but mainly in writing ( except for religion and royalty.)
I find the Japanese way of adding the honorific much better

Glad u cleared that up for us. I had known only san bec my Japanese colleagues in SG uses it. I gathered from Pi-chan that the term must be used to show affection. The “sama” is unknown to me. I learned something new today

I used to work for a company where I met men n women with academic titles, like Prof. dr. ir Lutz. It was quite confusing how to address them. I hv been chewed off for offending some bec they want all their titles to show on the letters n memo’s but I thought being colleagues, we could keep it cordial n simple, like addressing them as Professors. The Germans r especially strict n formal, so I enquire b4hand how they should be called.

Btw, Prof means he’s a lecturer. dr is his doctorate degree n ir is short for engineer. It can be in many fields of expertise – mathematics, space, science or nuclear which was the department that I was dealing with. It’s interesting to meet so many super-intelligent human beings but they r sadly lacking in being humble to others.
They do address me as missus D., so I guess that was the clue to keep things formal at all times. The Americans r the only ones who gets to the first name basis after 2 secs of meeting with me. It’s much more fun to hv them treating u as an equal – at least as a human being

So, are relationships with colleagues just as formal in Japan ? Are u never called Mrs … instead of Kirin-san ?

As with doctors u mentioned, I guess they hv to keep a distance for ethics reasons. My doc who is much older than us, addresses us as Mr or Mrs when we hv to consult him. Our town is very small n sometimes we meet him while out on an evening stroll, so we would wave to each other n politely enquire how he is enjoying the exercise, haha.