What’s in a name? A lot, actually. Names are incredibly important, and when people mess with them, it feels like a personal affront. We link our identities to our names so closely that they can feel like one and the same. As someone with a slightly difficult name, I feel great empathy for those whose names have been butchered in the mouths of hundreds, and folks who are constantly fielding clarifying questions when people ask them to introduce themselves. But it’s the least we can do for each other. 

Getting names right is basic respect, especially in a work setting, where we’d like to be treated with the utmost. But some people are too ignorant for their own good, and rebuke any names that aren’t also gospels of the Bible. Such is the case in this recent Reddit story where an inconsiderate coworker refused to learn a slightly hard name. Where is the respect?