Greetings, Miss Manners Since I think it better describes me than my entire name, I use a shorter form of my first name. When I was younger, even my parents adopted the abbreviated name since they thought it better suited me.
I send out a lot of emails to the players as the manager of our intramural kickball team, and I always sign off with my abbreviated name, which most people follow. Every week, though, one player still uses my entire name in conversation.
How can I gently inform them that I would rather they use my shorter name because I find my full name to be annoying?
Stories by
Judith Martin
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PERSONAL READER: By approaching the request as an intimate gesture rather than a reprimand: I believe we have gotten to know one another well enough for you to refer to me as Gen rather than Genevieve. It’s what I like, and all of my friends do it.
A person’s name being shortened can indicate familiarity. However, it might be excessive in a new relationship. Miss Manners advises you to pretend that others who make this error are being careful and not attempting to offend you. Even your acquaintances won’t know you well enough to do it just yet.
Miss Manners can be reached by email at [email protected], via her website at www.missmanners.com, or by mail at Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
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