..irritated at being addressed by my first name

[raindropsonroses]

At the hospital today the receptionist was "Lucy-ing" me, she wasn't being friendly either, the opposite in fact!
It happens frequently especially in hospitals. It does annoy me, there is a section in my maternity notes where it asks how I would like to be addressed, and I have put Mrs......
I don't mind in certain situations my first name being used, or if a person introduces themselves by their first name, first. Does anybody agree?
AIBU?

sorry, meant to say, I know lots of doctors through work and don't have a problem with them at all.

And it's odd how medical practitioners have claimed the term 'doctor' when most of them don't actually have a doctorate. While most people with PhDs don't use the title outside work.

I like sending a card to my friend who has a PhD addressed to 'Dr and Mr X' just because it goes against the grain.

edam - I wasn't criticising you, I was just very very surprised that someone would feel like that!!

well, I hope I've explained.

I mean, I'd feel equally irritated if I went to see a bank manager or a solicitor or accountant who introduced themselves as 'Mr/Mrs/Ms Whatever' but called me edam...

I hate hate hate people calling me Miss. am dreading being Mrs in a few months. Feels ponce and old-fashioned. I cringe when my mum introduces herself as Mrs. instead of her first name.

As a student nurse its a nightmare calling anyone anything tbh - I hate making that Miss/Ms/Mrs decision about female patients, always offends someone.

I suppose I just feel that seeing a doctor about your health is in itself quite intimate, so it's hard for me to understand why using first names in that context would be really offensive.

Totally agree with edam.

Also wouldn't make a fuss but would prefer to be asked. [At my second scan, the very impolite scan operator (what are they called?) used my first name to exercise a bit of power - as in "you haven't got a full bladder, walnut" - wtf? she was telling me off the patronising ?@"£$! ]

that's exactly why it is irritating, HCTG. Because the doctor or other professional already has all the power. They really don't need to make things worse by talking down to you!

But with a doctor one of the ways to engender trust is to respect the patient's wishes and as not everyone feels the same about how when it's appropriate to use first name terms, the issue should be broached.

how

I suppose I just don't see it as talking down and that is why I find it hard to understand. I will certainly be more cautious about addressing patients at work now though.

I used to hate being called 'mum' - but then my DP (who works in a&e) explained that so it as it can help in the situation:

when a child is ill a parent is often a bit all over the place and so if the medical staff have something to say it to the parent it makes them know the staff are talking to them -

and they don't want to remember the mum's actual name, as they will forget/get them mixed up and may not have time

still don't like it though!

See, I wouldn't be quite so bothered by a receptionist using my first name (although I wouldn't like it - you aren't my best mate or anything, lovely as I'm sure you are) because you aren't going to be looking at my nether regions, or deciding my fate or anything.

When calling patients from the waiting room, I say "firstname, surname please". I tend to always address anyone under 25 by their firstname, and over that by title and surname unless they say I should use their firstname or I know them well.

What peeves me is patients who address me as "Emma" (unless they're kids as that's how I introduce myself), particularly when I have never met them before and already introduced myself as "Dr Sellars". I find that a bit overfamiliar and cheeky.

Interesting point about the use of allied medical practitioners using the title Dr when they don't have a medical degree. I think that is possibly illegal, certainly unethical if it is meant to be deliberately misleading and to lead one to believe that they are a qualified doctor.

I thought it was the height of bad manners to introduce yourself as Mr/Mrs/Miss etc ...

i really couldnt give a shit and if i was being judgemental i would predict your life is quite hunky dorey, ami beingunreasonable

FF -I meant to ask why you said you thought my life was hunkeydorey?

I wonder if it's an age-thing. I hate it when people I don't know use my first name without asking.

I'm married but actually prefer to be called by my first name when at hospital, i find it irritating to be called mrs all the time.
Yabu.

I dislike anyone calling me by my first name unless I have introduced myself by my first name, or corrected their use of Mrs.

The presumption to use the first name, especially in any formal capacity, companies, NHS etc, is plain rude imo.