Question about usage of names and social convention

[Svetlana Grenier]

Sarah Hurst wrote:

>Very true! I and other people I know who have encountered this all say they
>find it rude rather than friendly. At my local Wells Fargo we are supposed
>to give the cashier a marble in their jar as a reward every time they say
>our names. I can't stand salespeople who don't know me using my name. Why
>haven't they cottoned on yet that this is obnoxious?
>  
>
Do you mean calling you by first name (which it usually is with 
salespeople)?  Extremely obnoxious!  I wonder, if they called one by 
Mr/Mrs and last name, would that make things better? I can't remember a 
case of that though.

Nola wrote:

>>A book I am using says: "Unlike in English, it is customary in  
>>Russian to address an interlocutor by name on a regular basis in  
>>normal or formal conversation."
>>    
>>
This phrasing suggests the book is referring to repeating the 
interlocutor's name when addressing him/her, but my unscientific 
observation (to quote one of the previous posts)  is that the book just 
made it up!  What book is it, anyway?

Best,
Svetlana

-- 
Svetlana S. Grenier

Associate Professor
Department of Slavic Languages
Box 571050
Georgetown University
Washington, DC 20057-1050
202-687-6108
greniers at georgetown.edu

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