First names

[Peter Hook]

What on earth has given telephone sales persons and estate agents the idea that it is acceptable to call me by my first name when we have not ever met? In my opinion, they should be banished from the planet or at the very least sent back to the US of A where I believe such practices are acceptable. I have found it always fun to call them, in return by any name other than their own [Peregrine, Alphonsus etc] AND to then keep changing it during the conversation.

[Iomfats]

It's WORSE when they ask "How are you today?" You just KNOW they don't care about the answer. If they ask, try asking them how interested they are, and then go on to decribe the quality of an imaginary sample of faeces and intestinal parasites. Turns them right off.

[tracyr]

I think you should try and spare a thought for the person who is being forced by the company they work for to use your first name. I work in a call centre and will lose my job if my recorded calls prove I am not usng the callers christian name. I find it terribly rude and forward myself and no matter how much we protest, management always knows better, doesn't it? I always feel extremely uncomfortable doing it but I have no choice. Maybe you should complain to a manager and not take it out on the person on the other end of the line.

[jbeputnam]

It is part of telesales training that the salesperson calls you by your first name. This establishes a more friendly relationship, and discourages you from saying no to them straight away. It's a psychology thing.