Diamond Gemma
From Mrs Pat thechin Sir: In the morning I read Theodore Dalrymple's article (Don't call me Theo', 16/23 December), in which he recounts his conversation with `Gemma' on the telephone.
In the afternoon I, too, had occasion to ring BT (their engineers' section, in fact) and 1, too, was answered (I promise you) by 'Hello, Gemma speaking, how may I help you?' Goodness me, Gemma!' I replied — and told her of Dr Dalrymple's article.
Unlike his Gemma, my Gemma was a delightful and intelligent person: she entirely agreed with Dr Dalrymple's (and my own) views on the awfulness of this ubiquitous response. She told me that if they did not respond in this way they would be sacked, and, most endearingly, she said, 'Hooray, I'm famous,' and that she intended to go out and buy The Spectator as soon as she got off duty.
On a more serious note, with reference to calling elderly people in hospital by their first names, I must testify that when I recently had a brief stay in hospital for a minor foot operation, I was specifically asked — at the pre-admission clinic — how I would like to be addressed while an in-patient, and my reply was put down in my notes.
Pat Utechin
Headington, Oxford
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