Friend’s repeating of name

is becoming repetitious

and repeatedly annoying



Got a problem you’d like to share with Sidney? Write to her at: The Meridian Star, P.O. Box 1591, Meridian, MS 39301 or e-mail her at sidneycovington@comcast.net. All submissions are confidential and go directly to Sidney.



Dear Sidney:



My dear friend and I enjoy going to lunch, to movies and going shopping. We have fun when we are together, but as time has passed, my friend has developed a MOST annoying habit. Or, at least, I have started noticing a habit she may have had for a long time.

My sweet friend says my name over and over and over. She begins every sentence with my name; she ends every sentence with my name. One day I counted, and she said my name 23 times in the course of two hours. While I am flattered that she loves the sound of my name, and I know there may come a time when I may need to be reminded of my name, this little annoying habit is about to stretch the limits of our friendship too thin.

I hate to hurt her feelings, Sidney, but Sidney, I may just go “Ike Turner” on

her one day when she least expects it. Please, Sidney, save this friendship, because it’s going down the tubes fast!



Signed,

You Name IT



Dear IT,



Think about it … When one begins a conversation, one generally begins by saying the person’s name, right? Why? Because one wants to get the attention of the person to whom they’re addressing the remarks. However, your friend has a totally different reason to do what she’s doing. She wants to not only get the attention, but she also wants to maintain it.

It’s actually a control issue. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that this person has a generally “overwhelming” (polite substitution for overbearing) personality … That is,

when she comes into the room, she comes INTO THE ROOM!!!! She must be seen. Her presence must be made known. She must be the center of attention.

So how do you stop this annoying behavior? You could always put a jar on the table/counter/whatever and say, “Brunhilda, each time you say my name, you have

to put a dollar in this jar. I’m wanting to go to Jamica and one paragraph out of you, and I’m pretty much on the plane.” Or, you could be a tad more delicate. The next time she starts this, after the second time she says your name, put your hands gently on her forearms (this should stop her immediately just from curiousity alone)and while she’s blessedly quiet, say, “You’ve said my name twice, as a matter of fact, and you have my attention. It’s not necessary to continue to say my name. Trust me,

I’m here and I’m listening.” Or, each time she says your name, say hers right back. This isn’t a time to worry about hurting her feelings. It shouldn’t. But if it does, apologize for doing so, but make your point. Then, if that still doesn’t work, get the jar out and put it on the table/counter/whatever and pack your bags for Jamaica.



Love, Sidney



• Sidney Covington has a master’s degree in counseling. She is a patient advocate and public relations representative for Riley Hospital.