TODAY’S POLL

LAST POLL RESULTS

38.5% of you voted Mostly comfortable — I use names without thinking about it in Friday’s poll: How comfortable are you using someone’s name while talking to them?

“If I know a person’s name, I think it’s a common courtesy to use their name in conversation. No awkwardness here.”

“Especially in groups.”

“My dad was in sales and always told me growing up to use people’s names. It’s personable and friendly.”

“As long as I remember what it is!”

“I almost always use someone’s name when talking to them, unless, of course, I’ve forgotten it or never actually knew it to begin with. LOL.”

“I’m thinking it would be weird not to use their name in conversation. Thanks! Now I’m going to be paying attention to see how often I do this. Me? Neurotic? Not yet.”

“I don’t think I’d call my football coach by his first name. A priest, a nun, or any person considered in charge, I’d refer to by their given title out of respect. Whenever I’m engaging in a conversation with someone, I do make a point of using their name when talking to them. It shows you are interested, and it’s also nice to do. I love it when someone remembers my name and uses it in our conversation — even if it’s preceded by the statement, ‘You know nothing,’ then my name. 😇”

“Why wouldn’t it be natural to use someone’s name? I suppose using their name excessively in conversation could be weird, but otherwise, I don’t see the problem.”

“When they keep inserting my name, I suspect they…”

“I have a hard time remembering names. I dislike people constantly using my name, though.”

“Just don’t overdo it. It’s annoying when someone says my name more than twice in an extended conversation.”

“Honestly, I don’t really think about it that much.”

“Never thought much about it. Though, as I think about it, overuse could be uncomfortable.”

“The only time I feel uncomfortable using a name is when I’m unsure of the pronunciation.”

“My primary concern is whether or not I have their name correct. That piece of my brain seems to be long gone.”

“Example? ‘Hey, what’s-your-face!’… :(”

“OK… true answer: I’m not used to doing that at all, but I’m trying to do more of that Poll Of The Day, so I can get better at remembering names. I usually only use names to get someone’s attention, and a lot of people seem to go by the name ‘Hey Yo.’”

“My selection doesn’t reflect my true feelings because of the way the choices were worded. It’s more like option 3: a little uncomfortable, but not because it feels oddly personal. It can seem aggressive or accusatory to say someone’s name often — also, like a salesperson.”

“When talking to someone directly, I don’t usually use their name. They know I’m talking to them, obviously, and sometimes saying a name can almost sound like you’re condescending to them. This is from personal experience. It doesn’t feel as awkward to use a name if you’re in a group of people having a discussion, though. But one-on-one, that’s a different story.”

“I don’t use names, but not from discomfort. It just seems a waste of time; I know who you are, you know that I do, and you certainly know who you are, so why would I address you continually? It’s something you hear in poorly scripted films, where the length is heavily padded by every single character starting their speech by saying the name of the person they’re talking to in every single sentence!”

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