Article: Learning to not give emotional responses.(Carolyn Hax)

Adapted from a recent online discussion.

Dear Carolyn: My boyfriend of four years sent me an online message while I was sleeping that called me by a different name. What's a mature response to something like that? "Excuse me"? Letting it pass? Seeing if he says anything? It was jarring, to say the least.

-- D.C.

D.C.: I think you just say, "Uh, my name is (blank). Is there something we need to talk about?"

It also depends on whose name he used. I can't be the only one with siblings, friends and spouse(s) who call me the wrong name, each offender more than once.

Or maybe I am just peculiarly nondescript.

-- Carolyn

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!