Formal letters using my first name

I have noticed a couple of times when speaking to an institution like a bank they have asked if they may call me by my first name and I always say yes. Doesn't really bother me one way or another. On a recent hospital visit I was asked the same thing.

For me it depends on the context- mostly I don't mind the use of first names. I'm not keen on the use of "Christian Name" to describe a given name. Millions of people in the UK have no christian name. Agnostics, Atheists, Sikhs, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jedi Knights. It's not a big deal but it's old fashioned and thankfully dying out

This letter to my son at his business address certainly caused amusement!

My 93 year old mum keeps getting letters from EON, they all start "Hi Evelyn" - she gets extremely annoyed and says she expects some respect from these companies. I agree with her.

Valels

My 93 year old mum keeps getting letters from EON, they all start "Hi Evelyn" - she gets extremely annoyed and says she expects some respect from these companies. I agree with her.

Yes, the 'Hi' is perhaps going a little too far!

I live in France and they always use Monsieur or Madame, in business. I am uneasy when in the UK unknown people use my Christian name, they don’t ask. I have had a couple of emails, from UK legal firms today, I don’t know them from Adam but their letters start with, Dear Mokryna.

I like to keep my name formal, being addressed as Mrs for business. There has to be a distance kept from being too friendly if any problems arose, it is also a matter of respect.

JudyBloom

I like to keep my name formal, being addressed as Mrs for business. There has to be a distance kept from being too friendly if any problems arose, it is also a matter of respect.

That was my point upthread. It's all very well being pally when everything's going smoothly, but if things go wrong a professional distance is useful. I suspect that's why it happens though.

How things change! I remember the emphasis on formality when I did my secretarial course in the late 1970s. Always put a title on the envelope etc etc. I've got used to being called by my first name face to face and in letters. Recently I've been getting quotes for some building work and many of the builders are very young and all but one called me by my first name face to face and in email quotes. One asked how to address me.