"Customer service"

The checkout staff say that in our local Asda - even if there was no one before you... But their staff are much friendlier than they are at Tesco!

It made me smile girlracer the thought of your suggestion of heart attack sounded just like "one foot in the grave"
What gets me nowadays is everyone seems to say thank you sooo much t sounds so gushing.

I find it quite strange that anyone would have a problem with hospital staff asking how you want to be addressed and that you think it is a clear implication that they would think you are an awkward patient. They are just asking what you would like to be called, ie. by your first name or mrs etc. it is not a judgement call, but trying to make you feel comfortable and not presuming to call you by your first name as some "older" women do not like being addressed in this way by someone younger.

I had missed that post, positivepam, and I agree with you - I think hospital staff do this because in the past there was much criticism of the trend towards addressing all patients by their first names. Surely it's not seen as being 'awkward' to wish to be called 'Mrs' or 'Mr' Whatever?