What would you suggest that we do
 

when the restaurant that I work for insists that we try to make people comfortable and feel at home by telling them our name?<BR>We are told that customers in the US prefer to know the name of the person waiting on them,so they can praise/complain/call us by name.<BR>But this seems to cause a little indigestion on the part of some visitors.<BR>What would you do?

You do what your employer wishes. If you're uncomfortable with it, seek employment elsewhere.

Just tell them your name. Trust me, we the customers aren't listening anyhow!

Despite the fact that it is a widespread American custom, I think giving people your name is overly familiar (which is what we Americans do a lot, isn't it?). (As is kneeling next to the diners' table, which I hate.) If you're tallying votes, I'm a customer in the US, and I don't like it.<BR><BR>Supposedly, we diners can then use your name to call you if we need to. But, as pointed out, it's rare that anybody remembers a server's name, so it come out the same in the end anyway.<BR><BR>Bottom line, though, if your boss tells you to, you have to do it.

I worked at a place like that.<BR><BR>I just told them quickly and then they either remember it forever or not at all. Just get it over with and go on with doing a good job.<BR><BR>It could be worse, I recently ate at a place where they sat down at your table to take your order if there was an empty chair. That was way too familiar.

Give them your co-workers name.

change your name.