What do you want ‘ professionals’ to call you?

On the phone to bank call centre the other day, was called by my first name. Thought it was a bit too friendly.

I never know which to choose. The personal name I use is my second given name. I get called by the first given name by everyone official looking at a list, and I generally ignore them because I don't recognise it as referring to me.

If asked, I tell them which I prefer, which is noted down and then no one uses it. Why do they bother?

My late husband's surname never felt as if it was anything to do with me, even after 50 years. It's ironic that all his daughters use their partner's name, his parents are dead, and first wife remarried so I am the only one with this name now. I'd like to abandon it, but feel guilty!

Think it's somewhat an age thing with me. Prefer Mrs when it's a really young person but more tolerable when someone more mature does the familiarity thing. Much prefer to be asked though. I'll have to do some self analysis on this one!!

I love being called by my first name as I've never liked the surname I was given when I got married. Just don't call me dear, that's so offensive as it means old lady to me.

To help me remember I have my mobile phone number in my contacts list as me. I recently had a call from phone provider and the man said good morning me how are you today! This went on throughout the call as English was not his first language I didn't have the heart to correct him.??

I like to be called Mrs Allegretto by professionals, unless we are both on first name terms. My GP calls me Mrs A and I call her Dr B. My dentist and I use first names. For hospital appointments, I like to be called Mrs. I’m quite happy for my neighbour’s children to call me by my first name and I’m quite happy to be called Madam (definitely not love or dear) in a hotel, restaurant, shop, or the like. I don’t want to be called by my first name by random callers, people I don’t know, or where doing so feels like there is an inequality.

I much prefer being called by my fist name - my children's friends have always done this and now my grandchildren's friends do - its lovely hearing them call out to me.

Sometimes I have been asked what would you like to be called (either by first name or surname) I always opt for my first name - but given the choice is nice

I'm often referred to by the appellations most people seem to hate: dear, darling, Sweetie, even, on one occasion, Madam (I was in the Hilton at the time, celebrating my 60th) and I like them all.
My GP calls me by my first name, but she asked first; the doctors in hospital recently called me Mrs, and that as ok too.

Mostly I'm called Whaea (say it just like 'fire') as that's the respectful name used by Maori for an older woman.

I'm generally not too worried about people using my first name unless its done in a patronising way. I don't like it either if its a phone call from a phone company or similar using my first name.
I agree with the poster who was cross about health care staff talking across her mother and calling her 'Mum' such bad practice and very rude.

I agree with Cornergran . The power difference is anachronistic these days when they want the patient to be an active partner in own healthcare.

With professional people I’m happy with use of my first name unless the other person expects to be called by their surname when I expect to be addressed as Mrs Corner. Otherwise it feels like an implied power difference. I seriously object to being addressed as a ‘guy’.

I hate 'love' (unless I'm in Yorkshire because everyone's called loov there), 'darling', 'dear', 'sweetie', 'madam', or being referred to as a 'lady' (I'm not an aristo).

I prefer being called by my first name by those I know, and for those I don't know, they can take the trouble to ask.

Elrel our practice was a family one so there was mum and dad and sons and their wives ,it made sense to call them Dr William etc to save confusion.Sadly the last of the family died recently and its the first time in over 50 years theres been no doctor with their family name in the town

growing up we always called all the neighbours Mr or Mrs Surname,my children did the same .My GC seem to call most older folk by their first names and I'm not sure if I like it .I still call some neighbours by their surname and prefix.Unless I'm on really friendly terms with anyone I would always do that

I prefer to be asked if it's ok to call me by my first name. What I didn't like was when I phoned my mobile phone company and a young man immediately referred to me by a shortened version of my first name, which nobody uses apart from family and friends. He was told!

My local health centre now refers to the GPs by their first names, Dr David, Dr Mary etc.

If you are asked which name you prefer that’s fair enough IMHO.I always opt for my first name.
A friend told me a few weeks ago, that an electrician working on her house called her ‘babe’ repeatedly, as in ‘ any chance of a cuppa babe?’ Since she is 71 she said she didn’t know whether to be affronted or flattered.

I agree you should be asked whether you prefer to be called Mrs X or Y, older people may not appreciate being called by their first name, which occasionally does sound condescending. Definitely not dear, love, sweetheart etc even if some people mean to be friendly or are just used to say it, they can call me madam if they must!

The first of my two forenames isn’t the one I’m known by to friends and family, but it is generally used by doctors and other people who don’t really know me. The only person to call me Mrs plus my surname was my gardener. I rather liked it. I would prefer to be asked, but it rarely happens.

My father, in old age, was rather taken aback when nurses etc used his first name without consulting him, but he didn't say anything to them. He just laughed about it. Nobody could pronounce our surname, anyway.

I work a lot on the phone, I get called love, darling, sweetheart and all sorts of Things I don’t like
I don’t think they realise how old I am

I like to be referred to as MrsOld, Christian name is only used by friends and family.

I'm a nursery nurse in pre-school room and called by my first name which is friendly but often wonder how the children adapt in reception with more formality. One of the dads once said he found it odd that we weren't called by surname like teachers. I said I wouldn't mind that as long as I got their pay ha ha?.

With me it varies with the situation. More formal then Mrs Belle, but if asked happy usually for people to call.me May.

But it really annoys me if someone asks if they can use my Christian name. I am not a Christian ! And do not presume I have that or any other religious connection.

Worst case was in Hospital, sudden admission for extreme pain, all sorted now, when the admin. Who was doing the paperwork, asked for my Christian name, I corrected her to have my first name. Then asked me for my religion, upon being told I had no religion, said "oh, I will put you down as CofE . . .
Even through the pain I couldn't let that one go uncorrected.

One woman told me that she called older people by their first name as they often had no one left to use their first name , I said that maybe they preferred to be addressed by their title as older ladies in particular felt they had earned it ! As a professional I always used my surname , but got very fond of a lady who referred to me as Mrs O , because she always said I started my sessions with her as Oh now come on