Is it impolite to correct people when they mispronounce a name?

Question

I work as a switchboard operator/receptionist and there are a lot of times when people call in and mispronounce the names of my co-workers when they ask to speak to them. I can understand this since sometimes it can be difficult to hear names correctly over a phone. Is it impolite to correct the people who call in if they mispronounce a name? For example, my boss's name is Mai (pronounced "May") and people will call in asking for "Meg", "Megan", "My", etc.

Answer 1

It's not really impolite, I think it's in how you deliver it. I have a last name that gets butchered constantly and I generally just make a point to say my own name around them at some point so they can realize that they mispronounced it. It usually works. In the case of people calling, I would say something like, "please hold I will transfer you to ____" and then pronounce the name correctly. =)

Answer 2

I think no one likes to be addressed by the wrong name, or a name mispronounced, so I see it as you're doing them a huge favour by way of letting them get off on the right foot w/ Mai or whomever else's name is being slaughtered. It says you care, and they should, too.

Answer 3

Did your company tell you not to correct people who call in?

I think it's absolutely fine to correct someone, genially, should they mispronounce someone's name, last or first. You know the company or the contacts better than they due to your interaction w/ them. So you have the upper-hand. They'd be a fool to be offended. If they were smart, they'd use the corrected pronunciation for "future reference".

Answer 4

definitely fine as long as you don't scream at them! If your still a little nervous you can lead the conversation to go like this.
"Hello is Meg there?"
"Mai is in her office, whos calling?"
"It is Megs customer my ref is 7484"
"You are Mai's customer and your ref 7484, I'll just check with Mai with you" etc

So basically repeating what they say and using the correct word or saying the name a couple of times. If that example happened to me I would be blushing as soon as you say Mai.

Answer 5

You are doing the right thing. Most people appreciate learning the right way to pronounce names and words. It saves them personal embaressment .I am guilty of correction and no one has ever been mad at me for that. So you see you are a very helpful person and I hope you continue to be so. OK HONEY?

Answer 6

its not impolite at all! i have your typical hard-to-pronounce african name and i appreciate it when someone can say my name right or at least make an effort. i usually correct people but with a light hearted tone by saying for instance, 'its okay, alot of people cant say my name right' or 'its actually pronounced...' you can correct them just not in a condescending tone. in the end it works out for the best really

Answer 7

I wouldn't get upset, I would be greatful that someone has corrected me so that I don't mispronounce a person's name when I later meet them face to face, as I would be greatful that someone else was corrected before they mispronounced my name to my face.

Answer 8

There is a nice way to do it. When they ask for the wrong name, state that Mai (pronounced correctly) will be with them in a moment.

Answer 9

It really isnt up to you to correct people who call for your boss. If the boss wants to correct them,that's up to him. Correcting someone's pronunciations is okay if you're among friends in a social setting,but at work,it would be overstepping your bounds to correct a customer or whoever else is calling.

Answer 10

Somebody's gotta do it. I would prefer to be corrected so I don't sound like an idiot over and over. In your case, it would be easy to answer one of those callers with "Meg?" Do you mean "Mai?"