When people refer to you by your last name....I've had a weird thing happen to me since I was a kid....Some of you may be in the same boat, others might not know the feeling.I'm one of those people who gets called by their last name by co-workers and acquaintances no matter where I go.It doesn't matter if they report to me, are my peers or my boss, young or old. Eventually, if you work with me long enough, you will start referring to me in meetings, emails, Slack or conversation by my last name. Without fail. When I was a kid at school, it used to bother me. But as I got into high school, not so much. My closest non-work friends do not do it. My wife and family does not do it. Just co-workers or friends of mine that were once co-workers....what does it mean?By the way, ever notice in the movie "Rudy" that his own family called him "Rudy" throughout the movie? It was a derivative form of this affliction as it was short for their OWN last name....so they were calling their son and brother by a shortened version of their same surname....like, why didn't anyone call them on that BS? Or did they in real life but in the movie they thought we were too dumb to notice? See, it's burning questions like these I choose to think about while I am trying to solve the daily wordle (yes, Friends, those of you who follow me on Twitter saw I took the plunge this week)....As I thought about it, it was clear that I'm not above calling colleagues by their last name too -- I have a number of friends and co-workers that fall into the same category. There's one (who is also an FoD) who is actually known far and wide by her MAIDEN NAME -- even though she has been married for almost 20 years. Some are known by their corporate email address names -- first initial, middle initial, last name. Then there are the "Sully"s or people who have asked to be called by a certain name or moniker.What does it say about you when your co-workers call you by your last name?You can Google this topic and find there is no definitive study, so here is my best guess: it's not a bad thing.People give other people nicknames or pet names all of the time -- and they do this out of affection. I'd say calling someone by their last name is a form of that. In Japan, it is actually common to refer to people by their surname at work, and it is a sign of respect. I don't think that is far off here.Along those lines, I have a fairly distinct last name -- and I am usually the only one with it in the workplaces where I have been. My first name, however, is common. So I can see that using a last name to address someone makes it pretty clear to whom you are referring in group settings. It also could be an indirect way of saying to someone that, like their last name, they too are distinct or unique.I also think there is a certain amount of relatability, connectivity and familiarity that accompanies this form of interaction. Here in America it is a less formal way to address someone. That means people feel comfortable with the person and familiar enough to take the liberty to refer to them by their surname without making it awkward. You have any good reason or thoughts on this? I'm sure you must, Friends -- you just needed your old pal Frankel to drag it out of you.No matter what, I can tell you I have never seen it as a negative in the workplace. And when I see former co-workers after a long period of time and they emphatically greet me with my last name, I know there is usually affection behind it and not like you would greet an adversary or nemesis. Something to think about the next time you address a co-worker, Friends...Enjoy the links below and have a fabulous weekend!XOXODave