Vas ist los "bubba"?

[Knothead]

I'm out getting a cell phone today (or so I thought,) and I gave the sales guy my name, etc.

He's one of these hearty Southern-types that I really enjoy talking to (he had a great regional dialect that I was studying), except he keeps calling me "bubba", as in, "okay, bubba, tell ya what I'm gonna do..." I mean, "bubba" this, "bubba" that...

I (politely, I thought) alerted the guy that my name is not "bubba", my name is Todd. He looked like I'd just twisted his nose and got all huffy and formal after that.

What? What? I guess I have a picture of somebody called "bubba" as being kinda...well...

Was I out of line, here, or was this guy jerking me around?

[Atomic Rooster]

I'm sure he didn't mean anything by calling you "bubba". From where he comes from it's probably common place. But on the same hand it's not very professional to refer to a customer as such. I don't think you were out of line. I see nothing wrong with wanting to be called by your proper name. He just took it wrong that's all.

[TheBurningCat]

Not sure about bubba man. I don't think I would like it. When i work I get to use alot ofvery colourful names for our customers because the tend to use very colourfull ones for us. Maybe he just normally call's everyone bubba. You know, add's personality to a sale. I had a uni teacher who called every one banana's.

[Knothead]

Originally posted by Atomic Rooster
I'm sure he didn't mean anything by calling you "bubba". From where he comes from it's probably common place.

Yes, AR,I think so too, but it's just that in many "Southern-style" movies and books, there's often a character called "bubba" who's usually not a very smart or likeable character, ya know?

[Sweet]

Yo Bubba........
I think so too, but it's just that in many "Southern-style" movies and books, there's often a character called "bubba" who's usually not a very smart or likeable character, ya know?

OOOOooohh, but ifn I can call ya BuBBa....ROTFLMAO... sorry can't continue.....

.....todabubba...... don't hate me...... lol........

[Siliconjunkie]

I have seen things like this before too. DRIVES ME NUTS! People just don't understand that customer=money=paycheck so, BE POLITE! The one that really gets me is waitresses calling me honey, darling and such.

He was probably just trying to be "nice" or "friendly".

[vass0922]

just like you calling somebody buddy I guess

I tend to be called big guy, or something along those lines I hate that!

[Thud]

Another way to look at it is to consider that the word "bubba" is a childlike way of saying "brother". I interperet it as him calling you "brother". Lots of Southerners do that, using both "brother" and "bubba". Another common one is "ol' boy", but it's more commonly used in the third person.

Beats being called "homie".

He's one of these hearty Southern-types that I really enjoy talking to (he had a great regional dialect that I was studying), except he keeps calling me "bubba"...

The description you offer is not inicative of a southerner. You are describing a true redneck. Unlike a graceful, educated, self-respecting southerner; rednecks come from every region of the US.

Anyway, I would have dimissed him from my presence for such behavior. As a customer wishing to spend money, especially in regards to a contractual agreement like a cell phone, then I deserve to atleast be referenced by either my name or sir.

Robert Richmond

[NeoStarO1]

I agree that he was out of line by calling you bubba, that is sorta like some of the females that i've run into that like to call me hun. im like im not your hun pls don't call me that. im karin plain and simple. or call me Mrs.

I think you are right Knot to feel put out. A sales rep should NOT be making thier customers feeling uncomfortable at all. You felt uncomfortable and that is grounds for unprofessionalism on the sales rep part.

BTW knot thought you already had a phone? Or did I read wrong yet again in a different thread? Wouldn't suprise me.