You are sitting by yourself in the canteen at work reading. A random co-worker comes up to you and starts talking about any old crap. What do you think?
You are sitting by yourself in the canteen at work reading. A co-worker comes up to you and starts talking about the book you're reading. What do you think this time?
Is the second situation more or less annoying than the first?
Say now, instead of some random co-worker coming to talk to you, it's a friend. Do your answers for questions 1 and 2 change?
A random co-worker always uses your name in conversation. She says "Hello, Bill. How's Bill today?", using your name in every sentence. Does that annoy you?
A random co-worker has a habit of shortening people's names without asking first if it's okay. You introduce yourself as William, and he calls you Bill, or you introduce yourself as Elizabeth, and he calls you Liz. Is this rude?
I'll be interested in people's answers. I think some of these situations are more clear-cut than others. Feel free to explain your reasoning in comments.