About this quote

Small slights from people who ought to know you can feel like someone rearranging your identity. Say something brief and clear when a label or name is left off — don’t let a casual omission become the default. Fixing it politely stops sloppy habits and makes your boundaries visible. Try stating your name once, firmly, and move on.

When to use it

• At the team kit table when your jersey comes back with no initial, walk up and say, "I'm Gred — can you add a G to mine before the game?"
• At a family dinner when your place card has the wrong name, tell the host, "It's Gred, actually — could you change that for me?"
• In class when the teacher mixes up the twins and calls only one name, say, "No, I'm Gred — I answered that question."
• At the office when HR puts an unfamiliar abbreviation on your badge, email them: "Please use Gred on my badge and email signature."