Ms. Becton (or however the hell she prefers to be addressed) is what we call a nut case.

Point taken. Not everyone objects. Sometimes people find it flattering. But I suspect most don’t like it.

(I once knew a guy named Richard Big. You made the obvious pun at your own extreme risk.)

Hi Liz!

I can’t believe that email trail I read on Politico this morning. I’m surprised you haven’t made the comedian circuit yet but I’m sure you will soon. Did you have too much coffee that morning? Jeez,

All the best,

On the plus side, I can tell whether or not you’re an idiot just by listening to you pronounce my full name.

You’re reading about this story on multiple blogs and you’re saying WE have too much free time?

I am far more dismayed at her inquisitional attitude about who referred to her that way and, even more, her apparent conceit that people are using her for name dropping. “People like to brag about their connections in DC.” I feel fairly certain that no one is bragging that they know some Rep’s scheduling drone. Give me a break! She’s paid $88k (+ fed benefits?) of our taxes to find blank spaces on the pages of a datebook and write people’s names in them; she doesn’t get to go all Sheriff Buford T. Justice because someone got her name wrong.

It goes to this whole “We DC-types are so special and important that everyone loves us and wants to curry our favor” attitude that goes hand in hand with “We have the wisdom to solve all your problems if only the benighted ‘citizens’ would stop trying to check our power and just trust us to do what’s best for them.”

…

BTW, Aresen, there are those with such names who either don’t know or don’t care. I read a story some time ago about an Aiken County (GA) Sheriff whose slogan was “Mike Hunt / Accessible For You”. He won. Frankly, in many local elections, it’s probably a decent bet that having a memorable name and a sense of humor goes a long way toward success at the ballot box.

Except for the call centers and telemarketers, who I want to slap down*, I can’t be bothered to mention it to a person I am talking to.

*The call center types in particular. You are trying to get your problem with your internet service/cable service/phone service/whatever fixed. They are being as condescending as possible, while using your given name in order to sound “friendly”.

—

Michael L # 23.

If I ever make that error, you have every right to call me an ignorant boob. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-20s that it dawned on me that, if there is an obvious pun on a person’s name, that person has heard it thousands of times and thoroughly detests it.

This is a direct attack on Schedulers, not an issue of formalities in regards to salutations! If Elizabeth had been a Richard and the request was sent to ?Dick? I don?t think we?d be reading the same poorly reported hill vomit! Shame on you Anne- for authoring such nonsensically crap, and at the same time thank you for reminding us that bad journalism and reality TV style editing still make the headlines. Scheduling is not for the faint of heart, the really nice, nor the pushovers. The biggest complaint I received while I was Scheduler was that I was too accommodating and nice. The schedulers who are praised and succeed are the ?bad guys? and cover for their Boss, while demanding respect for the crucial role they play. The suggested correlation between calling Elizabeth by a nick-name and not getting a meeting is absurd! The email correspondence that you left out because it was deemed unrelated is a great way of covering your ass, as I?m sure if you actually reported a story with all the facts and information there wouldn?t have been much of a story at all. Only because I have a scheduling trained eye- It is obvious to me that the this request was handled improperly, in that two or more lobbyist were requesting this meeting- were not corresponding with each other, made novice mistakes and/or purposely requested the same meeting to confuse the scheduler and move it for the kill during the mess. It?s the old bait and switch- Lobbyist A: You send the request to the scheduler, then I will send a request as well that looks slightly different. The scheduler will get confused, drop the ball, and then will have to schedule our meeting to make amends. Lobbyist B: Great idea, you address your email to Elizabeth and I?ll address my to Liz Lobbyist C: Great idea guys, and then I call the office and leave 2 voicemails daily, follow up with an 80 page fax and then harass the front desk because I know Elizabeth is there, she just doesn?t want to talk to us. – And yes, it worked! They got a rise out of Elizabeth, most likely their meeting. I would like to make a request that the facts of this article be checked and that Anne Schroeder Mullins? connection with the scheduling world and the lobbyist in this article be reviewed! I am starting to smell a conflict and a smear campaign at the expense of Elizabeth?..Politico take action and responsibility for this misuse of the press to propel a personal agenda! Ethics should include the press taking donations from lobbyist as well! I hope all your paperwork is in line Anne- and that you and your friends are exposed! To my fellow schedulers: Viva La Resistance!

“Let me put it this way, they don’t know me and perhaps they were PRETENDING to know me better than they do”

Problem solved!

Memo to Liz: people are begging for a job like yours at 88k and benefits. Who the hell do you think you are? My secretary does way more for her pay (not “scheduling”) but if she EVER spoke to someone like that, I’d be talking to HR right now and having you reassigned.

IMHO, it is only common courtesy to use the form of address that ta person prefers when speaking to them.

OTOH, I find it very useful to derail someone in a call centre or a telemarketer by interrupting their spiel and telling them not to use my given name.

I would never call her Liz unless she referred to herself that way first. For all I know, she could be a serial killer and that’s the trigger.