One of the first customer service lessons that I learned was the importance of "The Name"!!! I was told that if you want to keep your customers happy- you better know their name and say it often. People like their names because it is something that they don't have to share with anyone else. Heck even the Bible says that a name is better than good oil (Ecc 7:1). Think about it, when you go to your hair stylist and they smile and speak your name, admit it- you feel a connection to that person and you may never see them outside the salon!
Remember that theme song from Cheers: Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name... I love that song because it has a very deep message. Basically my point of this blog. Names are important to the person in question.
For me personally, I don't go by my first name, I prefer my last name (Ward)and I introduce my self as such and all my friends address me as Ward. However, there are those who insist on calling me other wise and its cool but I keep notice. Let me explain why. I categorize people into 2 groups. Friends (people we know me and respect me) and associates (someone I know but don't hang out it). I am sure you can figure where you fit in if you know me-lol! One person told me that they feel more comfortable calling me what they prefer rather than my wishes. I asked why and the response was its more personable. I responded that I don't like the name and gave them the choice to choose what they wanted to do. Never spoke to that person again....hummmm
I think it comes down to respect or money. If a person has money and says the name I go by is Baby face but only women can call me that while the men must call me Face- how many people would respect his request. What about the apostle Paul? Did you know his name was Saul before it was changed. How can we forget Muhammad Ali? He almost killed Sonny Liston in the ring for not calling him the name he wanted to be called and they wasn't even friends.
I recalled working with a mentally challenged guy who had the nick name of Jimmy-- went off because someone called him James. Seems to me that we have to put aside our views and respect the others if we want to have a friendship with them. I listen carefully when others speak to me and if they say call me Black skillet mack the baller- then that what I am gonna call him. I guess for some people they just don't get customer service and they may just have one less friend or relative huh? Well I can dig it because believe it or not, there are some people out there who can't accept Mr.Obama as President Obama, they perfer to call him Senator Obama. Oh well I guess its what they are use to-right?
I am Ward.......
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