2006-11-24 03:49:46 · 20 answers · asked by Velma 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Ah I hate that!!! Well actually sometimes its a nickame derived from the last nme, which is okay in my books.
But the other day, someone called me by my last name. It was a fellow that I was interested in, what a turnoff. It rather felt like he was making me into a guy.
2006-11-24 04:44:24 · answer #1 · answered by somebody cares 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it started at a time when people used Mr. and Mrs. a lot more and usually between men that spent a lot of time together. For example you work with Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones & Mr. Davis - before long you will drop the Mr. and just call them by their last name, which I think turns into a habit. Calling folks by their surname is also great when you know more that one person with the same first name.
I think from there children have heard it and think it sounds cool and so they continue the tradition or someone likes a particular last name or makes a nickname out of the surname. There are lots of reasons I guess.
Peace!
2006-11-24 03:55:13 · answer #2 · answered by carole 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Historically it was usual in boys schools and in the military and hence is still common amongst the so called upper classes.
Socially today some people prefer to be called by their surname (if they don't like their first name or if another person in their set already uses the same first name)
2006-11-24 04:02:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's more a male thing. Certainly my brother refers to lots of his friends by surname alone while I would never dream of it with my female friends, although I did know a lad at work who we all called by his surname.
2006-11-24 03:59:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they are older people with an "old fashioned" approach to life. Not too long ago, it would have been condidered polite to use sunames only. Personally, if I call a company I would rather have a surname than a christian name.
2006-11-24 04:30:26 · answer #5 · answered by costa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know many people with the same first name, especially if you hang out with them at the same time surnames eliminate confusion
2006-11-24 03:52:22 · answer #6 · answered by soulthief2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the context, but as a nickname? eg I know a huge number of people called Chris, so it would be hopeless calling them all that, so they have nicknames mostly derived from their surnames.
2006-11-24 03:52:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe because parents are not too origional when naming their kids and they have a very common first name so it is easier to get their attention in a crowd. Like the name Ashley...there must have been 5 Ashleys in one class when I was in school.
2006-11-24 03:53:49 · answer #8 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they are less common, so for instance there might be 3 Matts or Jennifers in the room, so you use their last name, so they know which one you mean.
in sports, they use last names a lot for the same reason, there are many people in the NFL, NBA, etc with the same first name. That's why their last names are on their jerseys.
2006-11-24 03:53:54 · answer #9 · answered by EllisFan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Noblesse oblige! Unless you're talking about H.M. Blair who called Bush, George and was called Blair in return.
2006-11-24 03:53:09 · answer #10 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋