That’s MRS KELLY To You.
Another day, another battle with the Lloyds TSB call centre. They’ve got this new phone system which is “new” and “exciting” but does not work, so every time I want my balance I have to actually speak to someone, as the new system refuses to believe me when I type in my account number and sort code.
So, I’m transferred to Mr. Lloyds, and we’re going through my direct debits because I suspect the thieving bastards at the RAC are going to try and take all my money again. This guy repeatedly calls me “Antonia”.
I HATE THIS. Why? What the hell right does he have to call me Antonia? It’s over-familiar and I absolutely loathe it in a situation like this. My husband, friends and family call me Antonia (or actually, most of them call me Toni), but I don’t want to be addressed as Antonia by some random at a call centre. It really irks me. Sometimes they ask, which isn’t as bad (though I still don’t like it) but this guy didn’t ask, and every time he said ‘Antonia’, I bristled somewhat.
Eventually, I snapped. “Can you please not call me Antonia?”
Stunned silence.
“Erm, what should I call you then?”
“Mrs. Kelly, which is the correct usage for this kind of situation.”
“Erm… okay.”
Bewildered but obedient, the next couple of times I was Mrs. Kelly. Then he started with the ‘Antonia’ business again. “Excuse me? I asked you not to call me Antonia. It’s over familiar and I don’t like it. Please stop.”
I know I’m probably being ridiculously old fashioned, but I guess it’s biblical: call others what you would call them and if they don’t listen smack them and/or complain to their supervisor. Or something.
He reverted to Mrs Kelly again. Then, he said ‘Antonia’ again.
“Look, you keep calling me Antonia. I don’t like it and it’s really rude. This is a business service situation and using my christian name without even asking me isn’t appropriate.”
“But you can call me John!”
“I don’t like that, either. I’d much rather use your surname and address you correctly.”
“But I don’t mind you calling me John!”
“That’s fine then, John, but I do mind you calling me Antonia.”
By this point I was on quite the high-horse about the situation. We got through the rest of the call without another ‘Antonia’, and when we’d done I sat for awhile and thought about how much I hate modern society. Maybe I’m over-formal or whatever, but I do not like being addressed by my first name by someone who isn’t a friend or similar.
Question: if this is what I’m like at 22, what conservative madness does the future hold?
My name is Antonia Kelly. This is my blog. I'm 23 years old. I am married to 
Stumble it!
Paul Groves said,
March 28, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I’m with you 100% Mrs Kelly.
It is quite a useful tactic for masking the fact that these companies are providing such an utterly useless service (or product). The familiarity is designed to put you at your ease and make you feel like you’re getting a personal level of service - you, the customer, is all that matters. But it is all hogwash.
It isn’t being old fashioned to demand formality. I tend to believe you are merely demanding a level of respect these companies are not capable of providing themselves.
(I wouldn’t be so familiar as to make any observation on what your future might hold.)