Rant - Using Christian Names when Addressing Envelopes etc

clutterfrazzled

Is it me or does anyone else object to the use of their christian names on address details?

In my case I have an unusual surname (which I always have to spell out for people) and christian names that are commonly misspelt. So any mispellings do alert me to anything suspicious.

I take all reasonable steps to keep my details private and protect myself from identity fraud and then receive mail showing my name in full correctly spelt for all and sundry to see :mad: (with government agencies being the worst offender on this).

With someone's full name and a few background details it is so easy to find out further stuff about people. I do take steps to prevent/stop my full names being used, including giving the sender a Royal ticking off (I don't think the word I would normally used is permitted on here) but what about others who may be more vulnerable, e.g. the elderly, children, women living alone.

I don't wish to cast doubt on the honesty of postal workers BUT with identity fraud on the increase and our being bombarded with advice to protect ourselves just how stupid is this practice?

Mark7799

Sorry but I think it's just you:D

I think I take reasonable precautions against identity fraud but I try not to get too worked up about it.

I've never worried about one forename on an envelope - maybe if I had two or three first names I'd be a bit peed off about them being on display.

Markyt

clutterfrazzled wrote: »

I don't wish to cast doubt on the honesty of postal workers BUT with identity fraud on the increase and our being bombarded with advice to protect ourselves just how stupid is this practice?

It's not stupid, just impolite - I don't want people who don't know me persoanlly using my Christian name.

As far as identitiy theft goes, it is irrelevant - if someone wanted your details, they'd just take any interesting looking letter. You'd never know what had happened to it, and they'd have all your details whether your full name was on the envelope or not.

pinkshoes

Vodafone are the worst culprits at using my Christian name when they call, and start chatting away, using my name at the start of each sentence, pretending they've known me for years...

It don't care what they write on my post. I shred everything that has private details on, and anythign that goes missing is out of my hands.

Some people go overboard on the use of surnames. I had a landlord, and him and his wife used to refer to themselves in 3rd person when we went to their house to sign the contract.

Mrs Dent: "Mr Dent, could you make these girls a cup of tea"

lol it was hard not to giggle. Or perhaps it was because she looked like she styled her hair using a Van de Graaff generator and some super hold hairspray?!?!

asharon

"Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mena they aren't after you..."

clutterfrazzled

Mark7799 wrote: »

Sorry but I think it's just you:D

I've never worried about one forename on an envelope - maybe if I had two or three first names I'd be a bit peed off about them being on display.

Sorry but I think it's just you:D - That's what I thought.

It's the full name being on display that really p's me off.

clutterfrazzled

Markyt wrote: »

It's not stupid, just impolite - I don't want people who don't know me persoanlly using my Christian name.

There was something about this on the House Buying, Renting etc board recently but don't get me started on that one (I try to restrict myself to one rant a week!).

PrincessTaylor

On a sightly different note .... we have been told at work to never refer to a persons Christian name but to their First nameas the word Christian may be offensive to persons from different religious backgrounds!:D

moonrakerz

PrincessTaylor wrote: »

On a sightly different note .... we have been told at work to never refer to a persons Christian name but to their First nameas the word Christian may be offensive to persons from different religious backgrounds!:D

J**** C***** !!!!!

Actually, thinking about this, "First Name" isn't correct anyway, some nationalities have the "surname" first - shouldn't it be "given name" ??

hollydays

Er..I quite like it..i must be odd.I dont think it would ever occur to me it would upset someone though..Edit-I mean there name being on an envelope

superscaper

hollydays wrote: »

Er..I quite like it..i must be odd.I dont think it would ever occur to me it would upset someone though..

I don't find it offensive but I've never referred to it as a Christian name because some people I know also use it to refer to their Christened name, I've always said first name or forename. Just logically it makes no sense to say I have a Christian name when I'm not a Christian.