My dumb question: Why do some grownups insist that children call them by their first names?

"Oh, Mr. Murray is my father's name. Call me Dave!"

You'll never hear me say that to Scout's friends, because:

1. My father is dead. I am Mr. Murray now. If Messrs Murray don't go by Mr. Murray, there will be no Messrs Murray in the world. And the world needs Messrs Murray.
2. There's nothing wrong with young kids calling me Mr. Murray. It reminds them that someone is in charge.
3. There's nothing right with kids calling me Dave, unless you think children need to be encouraged to be irreverent, by the revered.
4. I love being called Mr. Murray. It's like being called my dad.