Would you correct someone if they got your name wrong?

[Spinachspecial]

In a formal setting, like a workplace. Meeting with a newish client who we’d met twice before.

My colleague’s name is Sara. (We’re based in London for context). We have another colleague called Sarah but spells it Sara.

Client addresses Sara as Sarah. She replies “Sara. 😡” , so client apologises and continues.

I get correcting someone if they called David as Gordon or something. But I’m Ann and people often call me Anna. I let it go, or correct them politely with a smile.

It got me thinking. I’d definitely let it slip with a client. Or if I did correct them, I’d make a joke out of it. I thought it was a bit rude to chastise someone for a simple error.

In work, yes. In life, no. I was called Fiona for several years by a neighbour but it isn’t my name or remotely similar to my name.

Your DW should correct people. I hosted a workplace event and used an incorrect pronunciation of a contributor called Sara. She corrected me in the moment, in front of about 150 people. I'm glad she did. Both she and I would have felt bad afterwards if she didn't. And it gives courage to others who should speak up.

I've an unusual name and get the weirdest variations. I tell people if they call me the wrong name but in a kind way. My next door neighbour has called my DH by the wrong name for 12 years 🙃 It's very similar to his name and is routinely called by this name. Now because of our neighbour he is known by everybody as not his real name. We laugh about it.

There's a different between chastising someone for an error and correcting your name. If they get your name wrong they are likely going to always say that name unless you correct them.

I correct people if they get mine wrong, I think it's less embarrassing to be corrected first time then leaving it and then them realising that they've been getting it wrong for so long.

I just say it in a kind tone not like I'm telling them off.

i do because i have an unusual name and no one ever gets it right but im not a dick about it. If i dont correct people, i get called the weirdest things some of which are nothing like my name

I don't. Sometimes they ask how it's pronounced and I tell them. Others read my name and make their own assumption. I just go along with whatever.
I'm not that bothered really.

Depends. Lots of people I rarely interact with at work get my name wrong. My line manager gave me a login for something and spelt my name incorrectly! If I’m going to work with someone long term, I’ll correct the inevitable error then repeat if necessary. I make a huge effort to pronounce students’ names the correct way and I’ll ask them to tell me if I get it wrong. I think it’s important.

Someone I once worked with was convinced my exH's name was Roger. I have never known anyone called Roger, let alone been in a relationship with one. I did try and correct her a couple of times early on, but it was in one ear and out the other.

No.

I am called a few different things at a few different places as a consequence.

Dh is used to people waving at me in Tesco and calling me by a completely different name.

I do correct at work, yes. And if the boot was on the other foot I'd much rather be corrected straight off than carry on getting it wrong. Depends on context though - my elderly neighbour used to call me by slightly the wrong name but I let that go as it was no big deal.

I have a traditional name that has a number of possible variants so it happens occasionally. One new contact at work kept calling me a more cuddly diminutive, which I think of as lovely for little girls, but is definitely not for me. (I'm not a man, but as an equivalent think of Tommy for Thomas. Am fine with Tom, but I'm not answering to Tommy as a grown adult!)

Erm im Paula and no way am I answering to Pauline...

I let it slide. Americans can’t pronounce my name so I alter it slightly in email correspondence to save Any embarrassment.

Why do you think Sara chastised anyone? Much better to correct at the outset than leave it and have to do it later.

I have a very unusual name. In my work email signature I have a link to the name drop website. Nice way to let people / clients know how to correctly pronounce it.

I don't think your colleague did anything wrong OP and if I was your client I would rather be corrected straight away than find out later I had been pronouncing someone's name wrong repeatedly

I would - and do - correct people who get my name wrong. It happens regularly and I tend to say, "actually I'm 'Martha' although I answer to 'Mary' too because the two are always being mixed up".

Martha isn't my name but I have one of the biblical names, popular in the 1970s so have lots of friends with the 'Mary' name. Most of us with those names are used to reminding people of our actual names. Equally, I make an effort to get names right for others and if I'm not sure I've remembered correctly I'll apologise for not being sure and double check.

People get my name wrong every day. I let some go, I remind others. I find men are the most difficult to convince that the name they're using isn't mine so I've given up with them - I am suspicious it's a power play on their part.

Yes of course it's my name

People often call me a similar name and I correct them. It gets annoying after a while. Then sometimes it happens with my last name too. So instead of 'sally Harry ' I get 'silly Garry'. I do correct them, it's my name 🤷🏻‍♀️
I hope no one is actually called silly Garry 😅

I had a meeting with school and I was called “Mrs (Child’s surname)” I corrected them instantly as I am not Mrs and have a different surname. It annoyed me as that’s such an easy thing to get right

This

I don’t bother correcting. I have a name which is always said wrong. Two colleagues have called me something quite exotic sounding for years. I quite liked their version! It is said with kind hearts though and I don’t get bothered about it. They’ve just never quite got the accent.

My bully used to say my name wrong on purpose to try to get a rise.

I have always had a soft spot for those who listened to how I introduced myself and remembered it. One of the bosses from another area I saw twice in five years. He said my name perfectly both times even though we had very little contact.

An elderly neighbour called my dad John for years. Even when corrected he'd get "sorry John, I always forget" 😂

If it was really wrong (e.g Tracy versus Sarah so a genuine error) then I'd gently/jokingly mention it. For Sara/Sarah I wouldn't. Several international clients get my name wrong in terms of pronunciation but I know they mean me so I don't worry and of course just answer.