Jonesing To Call Her Jones

(I used to be a contractor. I had just started working at a new site. My supervisor asked me to send an e-mail to a “Cathy Jones”.)

Me: *types e-mail* “Dear Ms. Jones—”

Supervisor: *looking over my shoulder* “Oh, that’s much too formal. Just call her Cathy.” *leaves*

Me: *starts e-mail over* “Dear Cathy…” *email message continues as normal*

(Shortly after that, I got a reply.)

Cathy Jones: “Since we’ve never met, I think it’s a bit presumptuous for you to call me ‘Cathy.’ Please refer to me by my full first name from now on. Thank you.”

Me: *replies* “I’m very sorry, Catherine.”

Cathy Jones: “It’s CATHRYN. Please get it right in the future.”

Me: *sigh*

(That was not a fun contract!)