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Originally Posted by tgw
...Sounds like this woman had more of an ego than the guy with all the education!
M8 |
Safeway seems to have ended their little parting ritual - lately, they've just handed over the receipt without comment (though folded to the "Total Saved" area as always). As far as I recall, they did use Mr. Scrounger though.
I don't mind it as much as I used to. Then again, a far-younger neighbor with whom I am on good terms recently addressed me as "Sir" (apologizing for a noisy party). That was only momentarily depressing. |
Telemarketers started this trend...
...so you wouldnt hang up on them immediately, and it seems to have spread. However I find the formality of Asia or Europe a tad stifling. But other than a young person I would never correct someone for not calling me Mr. Those that do just strike me as pompous jackoffs...just my 2 cents.
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Old Style Service
Like a true Georgian, sounds like you'd appreciate Delta's old style courtesy!
Originally Posted by Canarsie
I have noticed that more and more, I am being addressed by my first name by people who are unfamiliar to me, both on the telephone and in person, whether the people are personnel of an airline, lodging or car rental corporation. Fewer people address me by my last name, preceded by “Mr.”
Have other people experienced this? Is this a trend? Is this not formal enough or not casual enough? Is it a way to make doing business friendlier? Is this issue minor or major to you? Do you consider it rude and impolite or an improved way to doing business? Is it poor manners or socially-acceptable behaviour? Personally, sometimes I do not mind, but other times it annoys me. I ask this question merely out of curiosity as to what other FlyerTalkers think about this issue. |
Personally, I like being addressed by my first name as well.
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Canarsie kindly pointed me here after I started a separate thread about this. I don't like the first-name informality by total strangers, but I am livid when the TSA screeners hand me back my passport and say, "Have a nice day, CATHY." They are not my friends, and only my friends and family are entitled to shorten my name.
I think it would inject a much-needed note of courtesy were they required to call us "Madame" or "Sir" or "Mr/Ms Lastname." |
On the phone with NW the other night, I was called by my first name, instead of the usual Mr. Fs2k2isfun.
At the high end electronics store where I work, we are instructed to call customers by their first name, though I feel that when someone is spending $10000+ on a home theater, I should have the respect to call them Mr./Mrs xxxyyy. But I just do what my bosses tell me to do. Like wise on our name tags, it shows a first name and only a last initial. I have requested one with my last name, but the nametag orderers won't budge. |
What bothers me is when I'm somewhere in a public place and both my first and last name are basically called out. At the pharmacy lately I had to give my first and last name and date of birth to them in front of many people. In an age of such high identity theft I like to keep some knowledge on a need to know basis. Someone could then follow you home and add your home address to their list of personal information.
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I usually think of myself as rather "laid back" in many things, but I do like being called Ms. ldsant when I'm meeting people I don't know. Then I at least have the choice of saying "oh, please call me ldsant" or having the more "formal" relationship stay. It's not a big deal, but it's just manners imo.
I read an article a few months ago about how many of the hotels are now trying to aim their business towards GenX/Y and have been told to address everybody by their first name to convey "casualness/trendiness". |
Originally Posted by fs2k2isfun
At the high end electronics store where I work, we are instructed to call customers by their first name, though I feel that when someone is spending $10000+ on a home theater, I should have the respect to call them Mr./Mrs xxxyyy. But I just do what my bosses tell me to do.
And I'm a Gen Xer, BTW, who knows all the more colorful words and has come up with some original ways to string them together to get my point across -- when the occasion calls for it. I'm no prude. |
Funny. I have just recently noticed that I recoil involuntarily a bit when a front line sales/service person addresses me by my first name.
It's just that the people in those positions are getting to be so young! I find that I feel more comfortable when addressed as "Mister" or "Sir" in commercial situations. Who knew it would come to this? :D Living in California, there is NO chance that this will revert. |
Originally Posted by Business as usual
I think all customers should be called by a title + last name or "sir" or "ma'am."
... I'm no prude. prude–noun a person who is excessively proper or modest in speech, conduct, dress, etc |
Originally Posted by Points Scrounger
Safeway seems to have ended their little parting ritual - lately, they've just handed over the receipt without comment (though folded to the "Total Saved" area as always). As far as I recall, they did use Mr. Scrounger though.
My wife didn't think it was so funny, so we have new cards now. |
It's your name, right? What's the issue?
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Originally Posted by pinkelephant
Personally, I like being addressed by my first name as well.
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