Once upon a time I would call the bank, telephone company or utility company and I would be treated with a modicum of respect.  Nowadays, mobile telephone companies want to call me by my first name.

A recent incident with Talk Mobile irritated me when some young chap in their call centre insisted on calling me by my first name, and referring to me as "mate" and "pal".  Two things here; nobody in their right mind would call me by my full first name.  All that know me will be aware that I like a shortened version of it and I grimace when I hear my full first name.  Secondly, I don't know the call centre agent so I am neither his "mate" or "pal".  

My relationship with Talk Mobile is one of Customer paying for service and Service Provider giving me a send rate telephone service. We are not friends, you do not know me, and you may not use my first name.  

I could rant further, but my blood is still boiling after one of my calls was terminated as they wouldn't accept that the name of the bank I gave them is the one that I bank with... idiots.