Pet hate - being asked for a title

pigpen

catkins wrote: »

Quite a few people do keep using a person's name during a conversation though. It really bugs me as there is no need for it and it is annoying and silly

I admit it really grates on my nerves.. I was rather short with whatever the Next guy was called.. lol

coolcait wrote: »

That bears no resemblance to my experience in the workplace, on conference calls, or when talking to family and friend.. well it does mine! I think I have called my partner by his name once in 7 years!.. I needed help getting a child off the top shelf of a wardrobe and couldn't reach her.

Thankfully, my workplace doesn't have that annoying policy where you have to address the caller by name at regular intervals.. good.. I won't tell you off if I should call

If we did have that policy, and you transferred a call to me simply saying 'Barbara Biggles for you', I would be straight into the dilemma I mentioned earlier. .. why? if they didn't say who was calling would your ESP kick in?

Office policy demands that I say "Good afternoon, [caller's name]"... but how do you know who it is calling unless they tell you when they put the call through or you ask?

You haven't found out if the caller prefers to be addressed as Barbara, or ms/mrs/missbiggles, or Dr Biggles, or Mr Biggles, or her Serene Highness Princess Barbara of Biggles. .. who cares?.. I wouldn't be using their name anyway and letters would be addressed to B Biggles

I have a split second to decide which option to go for.

If I get it wrong, not only might it lead to workplace unpleasantness, it might be the catalyst for the caller creating a thread on MSE. :eek:.. It was YOU who upset the OP!! lol

From there, it is but a short step to the end of civilisation as we know it. :rotfl:
I'm all for a revolution.. I shall create myself a tin hat!

More seriously, I think that part of the problem is that English speakers tend to use Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss to give the element of formality which some business contexts need.

If we had a formal 'you', like other languages, it would be a lot easier to show that formality without needing to use titles.

I usually respond with 'use whichever you like I don't care'.. and if truth be known I don't it is irrelevant.. it's neither here nor there is it?

I love getting 'facebook post' .. I use a name on there which is not my name so it is quite amusing..

pickledonionspaceraider

No it doesn't offend me. Mind you, you only have to breathe in someones direction to cause a supposed offence these days. Some people really need to stop thinking everything is about them

missbiggles1

toffeentom wrote: »

One post on here hit the nail on the head by generalising the sterotypes of Mrs. Miss and Ms. - funny :rotfl:

I don't mind having a title for formal situations/letters etc or asking for an eye appointment/view a house/buy insurance but I do think that, apart from professional titles, there should be only one for a woman and one for a man, whether they are married, single, divorced, separated. Mr. and Mrs. is fine for that purpose.

Mr. and Ms. are fine for that purpose.

theoretica

toffeentom wrote: »

I do think that, apart from professional titles, there should be only one for a woman and one for a man

Why should they be different for men and women?

missbiggles1

catkins wrote: »

Quite a few people do keep using a person's name during a conversation though. It really bugs me as there is no need for it and it is annoying and silly

For something like sales it's a recognised technique, although it's awful when done to extreme..

missbiggles1

pigpen wrote: »

I admit it really grates on my nerves.. I was rather short with whatever the Next guy was called.. lol



I usually respond with 'use whichever you like I don't care'.. and if truth be known I don't it is irrelevant.. it's neither here nor there is it?

I love getting 'facebook post' .. I use a name on there which is not my name so it is quite amusing..

You might get away with addressing an envelope to "B Biggles", although I think it gives a bad impression of the sender, but you can't start a letter "Dear B Biggles".

theoretica

catkins wrote: »

Quite a few people do keep using a person's name during a conversation though. It really bugs me as there is no need for it and it is annoying and silly

If you have only just met them is it a way to help remember their name.

Pollycat

toffeentom wrote: »

Maybe it's a divorcee thing. I didn't mind when I was married - now I do

Kim_kim wrote: »

I'm divorced - I haven't changed my name or title.

Can't be bothered too :-)

I wonder if this is the crux of the matter for the OP - divorce.

I was a divorced person, kept my name -and title - until I got remarried and didn't give a toss who asked what my 'title' was - and I still don't.

Person_one

Pollycat wrote: »

I wonder if this is the crux of the matter for the OP - divorce.

I was a divorced person, kept my name -and title - until I got remarried and didn't give a toss who asked what my 'title' was - and I still don't.

Did you change your title when you got married the first time?

Pollycat

Person_one wrote: »

Did you change your title when you got married the first time?

Yes I did.

So....? 42 years ago. yawn....