I called into a meeting today that I've never taken part in before. The woman leading the meeting has never met me. She called me "Eva." I didn't correct her--I couldn't be arsed. A bunch of people chimed in and corrected her. I don't even know who they all are.

Go team name power!

I'm very particular about using names, but I'm very particular about establishing relationships with co-workers. I consider it very important for maximum productivity.

People to whom I've not been introduced need not to use my name. This is especially important for supermarket clerks reading it off my credit card. I hates that, I does. My name is something that's extended, not something that's taken.

Plus you're going to mispronounce my first name, or call me Mrs or something. I know you will.

People to whom I've not been introduced need not to use my name. This is especially important for supermarket clerks reading it off my credit card. I hates that, I does. My name is something that's extended, not something that's taken.

THIS THIS THIS THIS.

(and also, did I ever mention how fantastic it was to finally meet you, Kat, and Burrell?)

I try to keep my work circle tight because I have to be careful to make sure coworkers know exactly what it is I do, otherwise they mostly think that I'm in charge of The Internet, and that my boss rules it.

Which leads to requests like, "We want to promote store events on the site. What do you suggest?"

Uh. Not our jobs. Tell us what you want up, we'll get the creative done or give you specs and make sure it gets up, but we're not doing your jobs for you.

If they think they "know" me? It's nothing but people thinking they can get me to do their jobs.

It was great meeting you too, javachik!

My name is something that's extended, not something that's taken.

I particularly feel this with regard to first names. I hate it when people I don't know use my first name.

Froot Loops:

If they think they "know" me? It's nothing but people thinking they can get me to do their jobs.

Luckily my job is pretty well defined and I don't have to worry about that. The loosest part of it is that I function as therapy for the business group. They get to vent all their frustration about their current system to me, and I just need to make sure their future is better than their past. It's great bonding material, I just need to hold solid with their trust. I've done a pretty good job so far, but connecting individually is key to that. Everyone needs to feel listened to.

Like, socially? I'm not sure I would know what other name to use. Maybe I'm not understanding.

I get blank looks when I tell people in stores my last name when they were expecting a first, but really. Let's not get into it. That could be a first name.

And then I get curiosity that I don't like when I omit my last name socially. I don't get why people need both of them!

I think it's more a function of them not understanding what our team does, and I think it's better for my boss to 'splain what we 'don't' do than it is for me.

I know exactly why people need my last name socially. There are like 5 or 6 of us. It can get confusing, or lead to nicknames or signifiers that can sometimes be angry-making.