Call me "Mister".

[trof]

This was inspired by the Starbuck's "guest" thread.

I'm 65 years old.
Why do doctor's or dentist's receptionists call me for appointment reminders with "Hello, Macey?"
(Especially when my first name is "Massey". It's pronounced "mass-see".)

But my point is, unless we're friends I expect for professional people I deal with to call me by my last name.
With a "Mister" in front.
You may be a very nice person, but not only am I not your buddy, I'm old enough to be your grandfather.
OK, I'm a geezer and I sure act like one sometimes.

And while I'm on this excellent little rant, I don't want to hear "HELLO, IS THIS anything?"
My first inclination is to answer the "Hello, is this...?" question is to say "Who wants to know?"

What I want to hear is "Hello, this is Louellen (or Miss Smith...whatever) from Dr. Brown's office."
OK, now that I know who is calling I'm 'in'.
Unless I recognize the voice, when someone says "Hello, Macey?" I just hang up.

If it's someone I know they'll use my nickname anyway.
End of rant.
:-)

[Shell Beau]

1. People use my first name because they can't pronounce my last name,

but I think when they use the first name, they are just trying to be more personable. :shrug:

[trof]

2. My last name is easily pronounced but usually mispronounced.

If you just read it, it's pretty much a no-brainer.
But I get 'Lambert' and 'Lombard'.
Both close, but no cigar.
You can be personable without getting 'personal'.

[Shell Beau]

4. It doesn't bother me, but you are definitely entitled to feel that way.

I would call someone Mr. whatever their name is, but times are a changing!!

[Left Is Write]

11. My last name is the most ridiculously easy-to-pronounce name evah.

I wish more people would use it instead of assuming I want to be addressed by my first name by a perfect stranger (a first name, by the way, that many people inexplicably pronounce wrong!).

[KitchenWitch]

3. Funny, I prefer to be called by my name, rather than a title.

but if someone else insists on being called by a title, then they MUST afford me the same respect.

[Book Lover]

5. Heck, I'm half your age and I demand use of my surname

It is easy enough to say, "I'm sorry, I prefer using surnames. Ms. Lover will do." with a smile. I haven't had anyone have trouble with it yet.

[crim son]

6. I have no objection to people using my first name and in fact prefer it.

However in a professional situation or even a social one where I'm addressing somebody for the first time, I will call them by their "title", or sometimes just "ma'am" or "sir". This way I don't piss anybody off. :)

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. I'm 29, and it annoys the hell out of me when people I don't know...

(who want to sell me something, usually) address me by my first name. My reaction is usually along the lines of "Excuse me, but do I know you? Have we been introduced? Have I invited you to use my given name? No? Then you can call me Mr. -----. And you can also forget about getting any business from me, since you evidently can't be bothered to know basic etiquette."

[trof]

14. 'Zackley. I always assume it's a telemarketer.

I've hung up on the receptionists a few times.
They call back and still ask "Is this Macey?"
And I say "Who's THIS?"

DAMMIT PEOPLE.
Identify yourself FIRST.
It's just common phone etiquette.

[zanne]

8. Agreed.

When I'm called by my first name by somebody I don't know, I feel like I'm being talked down to. Especially in a doctor's office. I expect my doctor to call me "Ms or Mrs......" or I won't call him/her "doctor".

[querelle]

9. I Don't Mind Being Adressed as Mr.

But I hate being called "sir". That really makes me feel old. I realise that people are sometimes taught to be respectful by using "sir" or "madam", but it just irks me so much to be referred to as "sir".

[Left Is Write]

10. They call me MISTER Tibbs!

Now, Mr. Trof, you are not old enough to be my grandfather, but you ARE old enough to be my dad (he's 67).

And I agree with your rant.

[Bunny]

12. My my , aren't you a crotchety old fart?

:rofl:

Well, Mr. trof, I happen to agree with you. I think the forced familiarity of our culture sucks, I prefer to be called Ms. Lastname, until I give the okay to be addressed as Bunny.

[trof]

13. YOU can call me 'troffy'.

;-)

[Bunny]

19. .

;)

[Kajsa]

15. I agree with you.

It really bugs me when someone less than half my age,
who I don't know, calls me by my first name.

This is especially true in my bank, WaMu.
They are famous for it.
Thirty years ago when I worked in banking, this was
unheard of.

Mr.,Mrs. and.Ms. are not hard to say and avoids any misunderstandings.

It's a sign of professionalism and respect to address someone by his/her last name.
IMHO.

[trof]

17. Precisely. n/t

[xchrom]

16. I HATE it when people don't call me MISS xchrom!

[petronius]

18. I agree as well

It isn't the hugest problem on my radar, but it's a minor irritant - my first name is for my friends. I feel more strongly about it in professional situations - in the office, classroom, or on campus my first name is 'Professor' unless I've told you otherwise. (And I'm talking to you, snot-nosed undergrad in the front row!)

:)

[trof]

20. Right. A minor irritation.

[Blue-Jay]

21. They call me MISTER TIBBS!