why do people say my name when i'm talking to them?

Question

I quite often find people saying my name when they are talking to me when there is absolutely no need for it- for example- 'yes kate', 'no kate' etc etc. I find this incredibly patronising- is it meant to be?

Answer 1

no, kate. it is considered by some people to be more personal.

Answer 2

lol I don't like when people do that either - in my old job I used to have to say someones name at least 3-4 times when speaking to customers and if you didn't you would get pulled up for it. I hated it because it did sound really patronising!

Answer 3

No Kate - it is etiquette and good manners - something which the modern generations seem to have a sad lack of.

Answer 4

Many people use it as a way to actually remember your name. They say when you first meet someone, if you say their name 3 times during the course of a conversation you are more likely to not forget it.

Answer 5

It could be 1 or more of the following:

1. If they don't know you very well they might be trying to memorise your name
2. They may be trying to get your attention
3. Maybe they are a bit annoyed with you and are trying to contain it t your attention

Answer 6

some people just do it - I don't think it's patronising, just friendly, but you never know. I personally don't use peoples names usually - I wonder if some see that as impersonal?

Answer 7

It's a way to remember peoples names.

Answer 8

No Kate, its not meant to be

Answer 9

No it's not meant to be patronising. It's intention is to be friendly and interested in YOU. :-)

Answer 10

peoples are weird Kate!!