Maybe it is a generational thing.
Whenever I speak with a service provider on the phone or in a store they refer to me as `Daniel.' Frankly that's offensive to me. For the previous many decades the customer would be referred to as Mr. or Mrs. `X.' I did it. They did it, too.
I whined about this in the presence of my eldest son. He's in his early 40's and he, too, found it offensive. But, he's got some of the `in your face' assets of his old Pa.
He told me about a time he was on the phone with a customer service person working to resolve a problem for him. She referred to him as `David' so often that he finally got fed up and said: "Have we had sex?!" "Do we know me well enough that you can call me by my first name?!"
I like the chutzpah!
But, in my maturity I now find myself saying: "I mean no disrespect but I'd prefer that you not call me by my first name. Mr. Fallon is better." I once had a person reply that she thought I was arrogant by saying that. So, in that instance I stated: "Fine. Don't call me `Mr' Fallon. You, and only you, are expected to refer to me as DOCTOR Fallon!!"
I know what she was thinking: "Not only is this guy arrogant, he's an arrogant p***k, too!?"
Right. I can be. I get my druthers, too, sometimes.
O.K. Rant over. Return to normal civility.
In similar fashion I much prefer Mike to Michael but some people just can't do it. For what ever reason they are compelled to call me Michael. I am getting mature enough that Mr. is starting to sound pretty good.
ReplyDeleteMy pet peeve is simple. When I say "Thank you" to someone who has provided some type of service at a store, a simple, "You're welcome" is the most appropriate response. "No problem" is not an appropriate response. I too must be getting old but it's simple manners in my humble opinion.
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