Etiquette help! I can't understand people's modern names when they speak them on the phone.

tomatillos — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 17:08:45 GMT

Hi Everyone. Will you help this old boy with a decision on how to respond when I don't understand/comprehend the pronunciation of modern names when introduced on the telephone?

When someone answers the phone with the following, for example:

"Welcome to Spectrum, my name is 'Drea' and I'll be your technical specialist this morning."

Substitute "Taz" or "Shanilla" and so forth, and I just can't understand what they've said.

When I don't understand them, I ask them: "Would you repeat that for me, please; I can't hear as well as I used to." I feel that is diplomatic. However, that frequently seems to be met with a bit of resentment or irritation, and right then I've given a bad first impression, which I didn't want.

For that reason, I ask once and when they repeat it -- if I still can't grasp the name, I am very reluctant to ask again. This is bad if we need to call back and speak to that person, of course, and I am lacking in manners if I don't address them by name at least once or twice during the conversation. And often one should stand back if I ask them to spell it ....

Yesterday, was the person who said "Taz." Or was it "Jazz?" Or was it "Chas" as in Charles?

His irritation was obvious when I asked him to repeat it.

I just said "Thanks, Mike" and proceeded with the call.

Thanks for advice,

Tom

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Etiquette help! I can't understand people's modern names when they speak them on the phone.