Bad enough to get telemarketing calls all the time (boy do I hope the Do Not Call list works). Worse, they address me by my first name like we are old friends. I generally say, "You are a business calling me. You are trying to get me to do business with you. Yet, you don't know how to show me respect. I am not interested."
Perhaps I am too old fashioned, but that is the way I was raised. You do not address someone by their first name without being invited to do so, either by invitation or introduction. Mrs. Smith remains Mrs. Smith, unless she says, "call me Jane" or you are introduced to her as Jane. You do not shorten someone's name without being invited to do so, either by invitation or introduction. Samantha remains Samantha, unless she says, "call me Sam" or you are introduced to her as Sam.
I cling hopefully to the past, in the hopes that some polite behavior will trickle down to the next generation.
Posted by Vox at July 12, 2003 03:17 PM | peeves