...and if you do customer service work over the phone, you might not get a simple answer. After all the years I've spent doing such work, it amazes me how many people are befuddled when I ask for their name. Over time, I've changed my phrasing. I used to ask, "May I take your name, please?" Too often, people didn't understand what I was asking. Eventually, I started phrasing it more directly, asking, "What is your name, please?" Even then, some callers had to clarify my question. (i.e. "My name, you mean?")
During the early '90s, a Missouri state representative advocated placing warning labels on albums containing profane or obscene language. To justify her view, she read rap lyrics while paraphrasing the profanity. I remember at least one morning DJ playing an excerpt of her reciting, "What the eff is your name, mothereffer?"
If I were a less cautious worker, I'd respond to clueless callers that way. I'm not that person, however, so I'll continue to censor myself.
