Suppose your first name is David. And suppose you’re in a semi-public setting and someone you’ve met before comes up to you and says, “Hi David.”
Do you think, “Nice. He remembered my name.”
We like hearing our name, don’t we? Dale Carnegie told us “A person’s name is the sweetest sound.” The late Herb Kelleher made a point of remembering and using the first names of his employees, and they loved him for it.
Research tells us that hearing your first name activates different parts of your brain than hearing the names of other people. “Adults never tire of hearing their name,” the researchers said.
But hold on.
What if it’s a young person addressing you and you’re old enough to be their father? Or they’re a client and you’re their attorney? Or you’ve just spoken on stage and someone in the crowd comes to ask you a question?
Wait, one more. You have a new secretary and, day one, she calls you by your first name.Â
I’ve had all of the above happen to me. When they do, I’m thinking, “How about a little respect? How about asking if it’s okay to use my first name?”
But then I’m old-fashioned. Or a stuck-up pain-in-the-ass, take your pick.Â
I was taught to respect my elders, say please and thank you,  smile when you meet someone and pay attention when someone else is talking. Â
You know, manners.Â
Be nice if more people minded their manners and showed people a little respect.
But then I’m old-fashioned. Or a stuck-up pain-in-the-ass, take your pick.Â
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