Dear Abby:

I've been looking for an apartment over the last few weeks and I've noticed some strange behavior on the part of the salespeople who are trying to get me to lease apartments. I believe they are called "Leasing Agents" or something like that. It's sort of annoying and I want to know what you think.

I went to a lovely apartment community to see about renting a two bedroom. The Leasing Agent was very nice, but after she filled out this card about me, she started doing the strangest thing. She kept using my name, over and over and over again. I thought maybe she was just forgetful or something but then when I went to the next place, the Leasing Agent there did it too! And at the next place and the next. They were doing it on the phone all the time as well. It was really starting to bug me. So, I actually started counting how many times they used my name.

One place used my name eight times on the phone. Eight times! After they got my name, they said, "Well, Annie, what is important to you in your new apartment?" Then they said, "We have one that will suit your needs, Annie", and "When can you come out to see us, Annie?". It was really over the top.

At one place I visited, they used my name 17 times. I'm not kidding. 17 times.By the 17th time that woman used my name, I was ready to run screaming to my car. Don't these people realize that it's patronizing to use my name over and over again? It's so obvious that they are trying to 'sell' me rather than help me find the best apartment for my needs that it really turns me off to these places. I'd rather go find some Mom and Pop group that doesn't put on the sales pitch and is more genuine. They may not be a fancy company, but at least they aren't trying to push me into a sale. Or if they are, it's not quite so obvious.

Now, I don't blame these Leasing Agents or Professionals or whatever you want to call them. It's clear that they have been trained to do that. But I think those training folks might want to change their mind. After all, that whole 'name thing' was started by Dale Carnegie and he was born in 1888! And died in 1955! Clearly, his teachings need some updating.

Thanks for listening, Abby. And please pass my thoughts along.

Signed,

Annie (aka Annoyed in Annapolis)