Posted on 06/17/2009 5:12:13 PM PDT by Dallas59
If you want to score a meeting with Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), know this: His scheduler/office manager, Elizabeth Becton, is to be addressed by her full name — not Liz or any other variant.
An executive assistant at McBee Strategic recently learned this the hard way. A few weeks ago, the assistant e-mailed Becton seeking a meeting with McDermott and a client, JPMorgan Chase. Days later, the assistant checked back in and unfortunately began the e-mail with “Hi Liz.”
Becton curtly replied, “Who is Liz?”
When the assistant wrote back with an apology, Becton turned up the heat. “I do not go by Liz. Where did you get your information?” she asked.
The back-and-forth went on for 19 e-mails, with the assistant apologizing six times if she had “offended” Becton, while Becton lectured about name-calling.
Becton told the assistant that if someone said using “Liz” was acceptable, then “they are not your friend”, and “If I wanted you to call me by any other name, I would have offered that to you.” Plus, it’s “rude when people don’t even ask permission and take all sorts of liberties with your name,” she said, adding: “Please do not ever call me by a nickname again.”
But the tirade didn’t end there. Becton continued her riff — responding that the assistant “got played” by someone who was trying to “tick” Becton off. Becton’s final, searing missive stated: “In the future, you should be VERY careful about such things. People like to brag about their connections in D.C. It’s a pastime for some. It’s also dangerous to eavesdrop, as you have just found out. Quit apologizing and never call me anything but Elizabeth again. Also, make sure you correct anyone who attempts to call me by any other name but Elizabeth. Are we clear on this? Like I said, it’s a hot button for me. And please don’t call the office and not leave a message. My colleague told me you called while I was away. ... I do sometimes leave my desk.”
McDermott spokesman Mike DeCesare told us Tuesday, “An apology is being issued as we speak,” adding, “This isn’t reflective of the way we do business in this office.”
That’s Jimmy’s bio? Interesting...
yeah~!!!!!!!
Probably called Bit*h by most that have dealings with her.
Sent to Ms. Liz:
Madam,
My daughter is also named Elizabeth; she likes to be called Liz, Lizzi, or even Lizard. I find your widely-reported reaction to being called “Liz” very strange, even off-putting and repulsive. And I can’t help but notice that your name isn’t properly capitalized in your e-mail address. Does that not enrage you?
FP
To Whomever,
Hey, I resemble that statement!
I had a 7 year relationship with an ‘Elizabeth’ very like this. I had no idea she moved to DC.
Yes....from the website you posted...LOL! ;)
This woman went over the top...
I think Liz is a little puffed up with her own self importance...
For some reason I’m feeling this sudden urge to call McDermott’s office and ask for Liz.
Just another liberal nutcase bureaucrat on a power trip. Sadly, I'm sure there are thousands like this idiot in DC.
Yes she did. I had not read the whole exchange when I posted. BUT...I still agree with her original statement though and if someone gets to familiar with me, I gently correct them. I just hate it when salesmen and such act like they’re your best friend. I prefer to choose my friends and keep business on a professional level. If salesmen, etc persist after I have corrected them, I move on.
Elizabeth should have accepted the apology and then got on to business. I’m so glad I don’t work in an office any longer..
to familiar should be too familiar
If someone calls me and I don’t know them and they use my first name or shorten it, it ticks me off. They are being familiar and I don’t know them. They are insinuating a closeness that doesn’t exist. I really do understand this womans response. However I think that she carried it too far.
Betsy Bacon?
She did...in effect she didn’t make a possible friend or get off on a good working relation with her co worker with that over reaction.
Those yeast infections are a bitch aren’t they LIZ?
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