Would you prefer to be addressed as 1SG or Top?

I echo what many have already said, in a professional forum and with 1SGs I am meeting for the first time, I always address them as "First Sergeant". There have been only 2 First Sergeants that I developed a close working relationship that I felt comfortable calling them "Top" and I asked both before I started doing so. It was more of an earned title of endearment as both are still my mentors today (although 1 is a CSM, I still want to call him 1SG since we went through hell and back together!)

I was an acting 1SG for about eight months; I had no issue with Top in the Motor Pool or company area, small arms ranges, etc. 1SG seemed to be reserved for meetings, "come see me with your team leader", and the other formal things we did.  

In my three different joint command assignments (SOUTHCOM, EUCOM and now NORAD-NORTHCOM) where I have had the pleasure of working with other branches of services, I have always used "1SG".

How about an E7 that blew up on you for not calling him 1st Sgt?

I was a 1SG for 6 years and I found that if your troops called you "Top", it was a sign of respect. It was better than something else behind your back. I also had some of my company call me "First Shirt". I

I think by Rank and last name. I noticed when officers would get together to many first names. I had Drill Sergeants and if you called one Drill the world would explode. They'd yell do i look like Black and decker. Same ones would call me top. So we had to have a conversation. Respect each others rank. They wanted Drill Sergeant. I was to be First Sergeant.

Having served under some cantankerous and scary 1SG's I was taught early that you did your very best to avoids senior NCO's at every opportunity and when you lose that opportunity you address them as TOP as in Top Sergeant or 1SG unit you run into one who losses their mind and starts the whole do I look like a wooden toy and spin in circles rant. I have heard 1SG's discussed as First Shirt but never in a derogatory manner. I have been addressed as Top, 1SG and assorted other non official descriptives in the 8 years I served as a 1SG and when I run into those IO have served with and others that served at one time or another as TOP/1SG and I have NEVER had an issues with it because I understand the title and those addressing me by it. I would also take into account the location and situation of where a 1SG gets addressed. I always laughed at other 1SG's that got all wound up in the titles, as many are diamond wearers for the wrong reasons. Then again take my opinion with a grain of salt as I am far from the average 1SG in my actions and words. I became what I am from the examples of far better Senior NCO's mentoring me and my own sick brand of character despite many trying to make me more acceptable to the higher ranks.

First Seregeant, but don't really care. As long as they are respectful.

Top

I liked being addressed as both, but both my subordinates and higher up most of the time called me Top.