to use their name

[ScoobyCan]

Went supermarket shopping with friends recently.

Lovely lady was at the checkout. Her name - Gail - was clearly written on a name tag on her lapel. I struck up a conversation with her as she priced up my goods, and I called her Gail a couple of times. As we left I wished her a good day.

My friends think I'm odd for calling her by her name tag name. I have always done it, and I have always believed that it is a polite thing to do. Apparently they don't, and that's not what it is there for.

AIBU to think that if a member of staff in a bank, retail outlet, restaurant or other has their name displayed clearly on a name badge, it is for the purpose of a customer using it to be polite if they so wish? Or is it so I know who to refer to if I make a complaint?!

@Bringmewineandcake I sort of assumed that the constant using of my name when calling a call centre was some hideous management idea, so I just grit my teeth over it.

I work in a customer facing role and wear a name badge. I really don't like it if someone uses my name when they don't know me "So...icelolly...where are the loos?" I want to say No, just no; I don't know you, I don't know your name; why are you using mine. I think it's a power thing or an attempt to be overfamiliar; it's usually men who do it.

When I worked in retail it used to really throw me when people used my name. Did make me uncomfortable for some reason.

We had to wear one in case we were mystery shopped, so if forgot badge or it broke we went to the office and just picked anyone out

I wouldn't say it was rude but I just didn't like it.

I don't do it if it's on a badge, but if eg on the phone someone says 'my name is Gail how can I help' I do then say thank you Gail at the end of the call.

I'm not even sure how you can use someone's name in a quick conversation?

I hated it when I worked in retail. HATED IT! I would of been OK with wearing a badge with my job title on because even though we all wore the same uniform we had very different roles and responsibilites.

What freaked me out once was writing a cheque in a shop (many years ago) and the cashier looked at it and said "thank you Mrs Troys".

It would only piss me off if someone took it upon themselves to shorten my name.

Other than that, crack on and call me Couple!

We have to use customers' names at work, and I don't like it when I call them Mrs X and then they call me by my first name. It feels like they're trying to put me in my place? I don't mind if they ask me to use their first name then use mine. I also don't like when people (usually older men) use the name badge as an excuse to stare at my chest. 🤢 It doesn't take you a full minute to read my name, it's not that long!

I wear a name badge and hate it when customers use my name. It feels creepy and overly intimate, especially as they use my full name which is generally only used by close family members - everyone else I know used a shortened version.

I've been on both sides of this and I didn't mind it all when I worked in retail. I still see my regulars in the street and we talk for ages. As a customer I'm on first names with everyone locally the point that we have hugs. I'm northern and over familiar 😂

I will do this if someone introduces themselves by name e.g on the phone but always hated it when people took my name from my badge when I worked in a shop.
It’s overly personal and always made me think that they had got a good eye full of my tits.

It's like doctor's receptionists calling elderly ladies by their first name. I used to feel for my poor mother when she'd be addressed by the shortened version of her name by someone young enough to be her grandchild. I know that nurses etc. think it puts people at ease, but it really really doesn't.

I can't really justify why, but I think I'd feel a little bit patronised if I was your Gail. I suppose it's the power imbalance- you knew her name while she didn't know yours.

I can't even figure out how you would use someone's name more than once in that short space of time, without it sounding weird! I'd be totally freaked at some random doing this to me! Your friends were right OP. Just...no!

I hate it. I wear a name badge and it makes me uncomfortable when my name is used in a familiar way by a stranger. It's definitely a power thing.

I used to hate it.
We used to swap name badges (females and males) for a laugh though.

I never liked it when I wore a name badge, felt like a power thing

I work in a supermarket and cringe when customers use my name. I don't know why, I just find it really creepy even though I know that usually the person is just trying to be nice. Reading previous replies, I agree it probably does have something to do with the power imbalance.

I use the names of the staff in the petrol station I get my papers at each morning, but they also use my name - and I have been going there for years.

Wouldn't randomly choose to use someones name who I wasn't familiar with.

At our local Sainsbury's, couples wear each other's name tags, so you might be confused at a woman named Mark! 😂

oisnmtit more about if theres a complaint or praise?

my df does this but hes over familiar like that-thinks hes american

It's a bit creepy. I wear a name badge and if a stranger uses my name I find it very odd and wondering if I know them. Regular customers doing it are ok

I make a point of saying ‘thank you, Gill, or Laura”,or whoever and never even thought they might not like it. I’ll stop it now.

I find it overly familiar when people use my name. I wear a name badge because I am required to not because I want people to use my name.