Is it rude when someone doesn't address you by name?

Question

The person knows your name but doesn't address you by it, instead they say "Hey" when calling on you.

I find that very rude, or am I just too sensitive?

Answer 1

Rudeness is in the eyes of the beholder.

Some people feel that by being casual "Hey!" they are expressing a connection with you. Or, maybe they couldn't recall your name at that moment.

Just give them a "hey" back.

Answer 2

No, you are correct. It is very rude for people not to address you by name. I suggest that you quietly tell the person that you have a name and you would like to be addressed by it. If they counter - say, "How would you like to be called 'Hey!"? You would not be out of line to call attention to this. A person is validated by their name. Good luck.

Answer 3

That is RUDE. Keep on walking next time that person calls you "hey." If that person gets mad you can say, "I'm sorry, but, I didn't know you were talking to me." Keep doing it until that person gets the point. The quick way is to tell that person that "HEY" is for a horse or you have a name and it's not HEY.

Answer 4

It just depends on how one values others. Referring to someone as "it" or "that" or maybe even "shithead" might be taken Okay if ones values are in check. Joking with someone can become a nuisance as well as over using their name. However, if you put on facades to display sensitivity to someone it can be just as meaningless and in fact just appear surfacey in order to "butter" them up. On the other hand if you think yourself better than them then it is more a personal issue with the person regarding him or herself higher then he or she ought to. The person being offended might well be insecure or suffering from a "pride problem" and so becomes easily offended and takes responsibility for another's' actions. Sort of like someone calling you a dipstick and not liking it or calling you a "nobody" so a lie based system takes control of your own self perception. It feels good to be accepted and so the criteria for that is to be recognized as an individual through name recognition. Some people tend to be somewhat impersonal so to keep their detachment and so their association becomes lessened through a nameless process. Kind of like a prostitute who doesn't kiss proclaims her independence from her client even though she offers a service in every other way.

Answer 5

It is much more personal to use a persons given name. Some people might feel odd about doing that. It is rude not to use the name if you know it.

Answer 6

I am rarely addressed by name and I rarely do it to anyone else; I had never thought of it as rude at all. I think there have been weeks I haven't heard my name even once, and I really could care less. Names are useful in crowds but otherwise unnecessary. But if someone were to mention to me they'd prefer me using their name, I would.

Answer 7

Well if they are from the south Hey means Hi so for someone to say Hey how you doing no its not rude, now if they say hey you well that's another story all together.

Answer 8

Seems like I saw another post suspiciously similar to this one? You posted twice? This is WAY too sensitive to give one moments thought to. WHO CARES and why do you need to play the martyr about being "offended" over everything little thing in life. YOU, is plural, not directed just at the asker of this question, but for all of us. If something really doesn't affect us in an adverse way, do we really need to classify that? Can't it just be? Can't we all just "get along"?
Sob, now I've gone and upset myself. Is that rude of me?

Answer 9

Yes, its rude. I have told my children that my name is not "hey." After that I wouldn't answer and ignored them when they used the term to get my attention. They stopped almost immediately.

Answer 10

Sometimes, depends on the context. If your sons tells you "hey" that is rude, but if things were busy it'll be acceptable. You know sometimes people forget names :D