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Why not call Margaret, Margaret?


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Old 16-12-2010, 17:51
Ollie_h19
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I agree that Stuart was wrong to call her 'Margaret'; they had not been formally introduced and she is his superior in the interview situation so yes, she was defnitely right.

What I though was ruder was when Stuart extended his hand to Claude who just replied with 'take a seat, please.' I think that's just a bit obnoxious.
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Old 16-12-2010, 17:53
Virgil Tracy
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That's different though. She had been out with them on tasks and knew them. This was her first time meeting Stewart and he should have treated it as such. I've never seen him refer to his Lordship as Alan. I think it was his youth showing through. None of the older candidates made the same mistake.
are we sure tho ? did we see each of them when they first met her ? I bet someone else made the mistake .
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Old 16-12-2010, 18:00
Nick1966
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It's hardly a hanging offence is it, though.
No, not a hanging offence. Just unprofessional.
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Old 16-12-2010, 18:03
Nick1966
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I agree that Stuart was wrong to call her 'Margaret'; they had not been formally introduced and she is his superior in the interview situation so yes, she was defnitely right.

What I though was ruder was when Stuart extended his hand to Claude who just replied with 'take a seat, please.' I think that's just a bit obnoxious.
Agreed. I'm going the interview process myself at the moment. Always take your cue from the person interviewing you. If they ask you to take a seat, then take a seat. If they extend their hand, then shake hands.

As the interviewee, ask questions but don't set the atmos !
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Old 16-12-2010, 18:14
jenco
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I cannot bear all this mock formality some folk insist on. It's pure British pomposity at times. We're in 2010 for goodness sake - not the 19th century.

I always address folk by their first name unless they have a title (other than Mr/Mrs) which I am clearly expected to use. When I worked in the US in the 80s everyone addressed one another no matter who they were.

I thought Margaret's response to Stuart and her manner was quite obnoxious and even if she had felt he's been overly familiar her response and tone was of equal rudeness. And as for that awful man who refused to shake hands - if that happened in a real life interview I'd simply walk out. That was just the height of rudeness.
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Old 16-12-2010, 18:47
Virgil Tracy
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I cannot bear all this mock formality some folk insist on. It's pure British pomposity at times. We're in 2010 for goodness sake - not the 19th century.

I always address folk by their first name unless they have a title (other than Mr/Mrs) which I am clearly expected to use. When I worked in the US in the 80s everyone addressed one another no matter who they were.

I thought Margaret's response to Stuart and her manner was quite obnoxious and even if she had felt he's been overly familiar her response and tone was of equal rudeness. And as for that awful man who refused to shake hands - if that happened in a real life interview I'd simply walk out. That was just the height of rudeness.

and the thing with women is that it's a minefiled when using their surname 'cos there are at least 3 options : Ms. Miss , Mrs. , you can never be sure which .
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Old 16-12-2010, 19:36
nanscombe
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Ha. Ha. Ha.

How many posters on this forum speak about Miss Mountford?

It does rather assume that you know her surname.

Years of TV exposure with Margaret this, Margaret that ...

All of a sudden, and out of the blue, you meet someone off the telly.

"Oh! Hello Margaret. How nice to meet you"

Oops! A bit different when in an interview situation, but an understandable mistake which he corrected.


... I know who the Queen is but I doubt I'd waltz up to her and say, "Hello, Liz."
And just how many times has she been on the telly and been addressed as Liz?
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Old 16-12-2010, 19:39
cloudsailor
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I thought it was polite and courteous to use their surname. Besides using their name is informal and he doesn't know Margaret on a personal level like the other interviewers or Sir Alan.
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Old 16-12-2010, 19:42
nanscombe
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I thought it was polite and courteous to use their surname. Besides using their name is informal and he doesn't know Margaret on a personal level like the other interviewers or Sir Alan.
I assume you mean he doesn't know Miss Mountford on a personal level, rather like the rest of us.
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Old 16-12-2010, 19:56
Kim P
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It's common courtesy in a formal interview to show a bit of respect. It's a vital skill to be able to "judge your audience" and peeing someone off by addressing them in a manner that they don't care for is best avoided.
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Old 16-12-2010, 20:16
stargazer61
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It is simply good manners to use someone's full name unless invited by them to use their first name. In this situation, I can understand that Stuart was surprised to see Margaret, but he should have apologised and corrected himself immediately, without prompting.

In my job, I meet many people every day and would always use Mr, Mrs, Miss,etc., unless I was either invited to use their first name or was speaking to a child. It is a courtesy
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Old 16-12-2010, 20:18
Shrike
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I actually thought it caught him off guard seeing Margaret of all people in there. For once, I'll actually defend him and say I don't think he was being deliberately annoying, but was just taken aback.
That was my take on it, he seemed suprised to see her and it just blurted out - lets face it Stubaggs isn't exactly noted for engaging brain before mouth

Also, like others posting, I struggled for a few moments to recall Margrets' surname and couldn't recall if she was Ms, Miss or Mrs either. Good job I'm not on the show, eh?

I wonder if Stubaggs and Jo have actually ever had any real-life experiance of interviews? Its quite possible they haven't, and in my experiance,they do take practice.
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Old 16-12-2010, 20:19
Indigo Louise
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I have to say it has demonstrated to me how much people can get away with doing to a person if they are seen to be "think skinned" or a strong personality. He is just a person, he might be too arrogant and too keen to emphasise his success and talent but that doesn't mean he should be treated like that.

Why bring him on the show at all? You would have thought they'd have investigated these things before the process began- otherwise I'm gonna apply next year with a completely made up CV, get on the show and take a profit from the exposure.
Totally agree with this point - they must have known he was a bit of a fibber from the outset.
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Old 16-12-2010, 20:25
DuaneBenzie
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In a real-life interview you would never refer to the person giving the interview by their first name unless they said you could. You would use their full name or if it was a more formal setting, Mr or Ms and then surname.

I have never been to interview in my life with someone I have never met before and used their first name.
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Old 16-12-2010, 20:34
worpler
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I didn't think it was that bad - I would have countered " yes if they are so familiar to millions from being on TV we do know them in a way".
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Old 16-12-2010, 20:47
DuaneBenzie
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I didn't think it was that bad - I would have countered " yes if they are so familiar to millions from being on TV we do know them in a way".
Then you would have performed as badly as Stuart did.
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Old 16-12-2010, 22:37
thecharmingman
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God, as a stu bags hater I have now found myself defending him on two posts! Didn't see what the big deal was about this at all. I work in a pretty professional corporate enviroment and no one ever uses surnames in interview situations.

It looked to me like seeing her was a surprise and he was caught off guard a bit. He made a simple mistake and was just trying to be a bit friendly (her put down was good though)

Still good he is out.
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Old 16-12-2010, 22:54
boksbox
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That's different though. She had been out with them on tasks and knew them. This was her first time meeting Stewart and he should have treated it as such. I've never seen him refer to his Lordship as Alan. I think it was his youth showing through. None of the older candidates made the same mistake.
One of the worst things about the entire Apprentice series has been the insistence of Suagr on being called Sir Alan or Lord Sugar at each and every turn, it's like his crutch.
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Old 17-12-2010, 00:01
Fio Montoya
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It was a simple mistake, he was caught by surprise that's all. However, he should simply have said good morning and waited to be introduced. I don't think he comitted a crime, just did something that most of us would know is not the correct form at an interview
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Old 17-12-2010, 00:44
vampirek
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Its a very basic rule and I'm surprised people don't get it. You are suppose to address anyone by their title when it comes to business. Not just within companies, that also applies to customers in banks and so forth. It is only when the person you are addressing tells you, you have permission to call him/her otherwise may you do so. It stems from a old fashion of manners.

Therefore Stewart was wrong, Margaret did not give him permission to stop using her title in the course of business. It is irrelevant if he knows her from somewhere, those who have called her Margaret in the past were given permission to do so, more than likely to make it audience friendly.

However it was a silly mistake, one which was dealt with. Margaret simply reminded him it was an interview and Stewart followed suit and corrected himself. Hardily worth the mention to be honest
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Old 17-12-2010, 00:52
Sara Webb
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and the thing with women is that it's a minefiled when using their surname 'cos there are at least 3 options : Ms. Miss , Mrs. , you can never be sure which .
You forgot Dr. and Prof.

Thankyou.
Dr Webb


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Old 17-12-2010, 01:28
oulandy
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It is extremely unprofessional. He has never met her - only seen her on the television.

It doesn't matter who the person is, or what job they are going for, it is only correct and proper to address the interviewer by their surname.

You'd think the fact that Alan Sugar is called "Sir Alan" or "Lord Sugar" would have given Stuart a clue!!

And then to ask "Sorry, I didn't catch your name" to Gordan...disgraceful.
Apparently you didn't either!
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Old 17-12-2010, 03:07
SuperAPJ
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I couldn't but help notice that none of the interviewers call AS Lord Sugar!!!
The candidates address him as "Lord Sugar" out of respect, as he is their superior. The interviewers didn't do this because firstly they were working with him and secondly because they were longtime, close business associates of his.
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Old 17-12-2010, 08:06
nanscombe
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I wonder how the candidates address Ms Brady and Mr Hewer?

Probably in exactly the same way Ms Mountford was addressed until she gave up the role she has been (in)famous for a number of years.
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Old 17-12-2010, 08:10
Rutakateki
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using their name is informal and he doesn't know Margaret on a personal level like the other interviewers or Sir Alan.
...Or even Lord Sugar

I found it endearing- he's clearly a fan of her appearances on the show- he was like a puppy-dog wagging its tail

It was a minor faux-pas, and I thought he dealt with it well.
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