Ask a Manager: Complimenting a Coworker's Name

[minoanmiss]

Pretty brief.

#4 Can I tell a female worker that she has a beautiful name when we are introduced or will I get in trouble? I’m a man.

Would you ever tell a male coworker that? I’m guessing no, which is a good litmus test indicating you shouldn’t say it to a female colleague either.

Most women really don’t want male colleagues commenting on their face/hair/smile/name/other things they don’t have any control over; even if your intentions are wholesome, it’s going to feel rooted in relating to them as a woman, rather than as a professional person who’s at work. Interact with us the same way you would interact with male colleagues, please.

Comments

[likeaduck]

Also it's not clear from the question that this is a coworker rather than a customer-worker relationship and even more no if you are a customer.