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Differences that change the conversation

First names already?

Poufałość a szacunek

Nia quickly moves to first names with Marek, while he remains formal. For one person reduced distance builds rapport; for the other respect requires time.

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Nia, Marek in panel 1 of First names already?.
Hi, Marek. Nia.
Good morning. I prefer to keep things formal at first, if you don’t mind.
Nia, Marek in panel 2 of First names already?.
So formal already? Is he trying to keep me at a distance?
First names already? We’ve just met.
Nia, Marek in panel 3 of First names already?.
Marek, got a minute?
Of course. I’ll keep it formal for now.
Nia, Marek in panel 4 of First names already?.
Would you rather keep things formal for now?
At first, yes. It feels natural to me. It doesn’t mean I don’t like you.
Nia, Marek in panel 5 of First names already?.
All right, I think we can use first names now.
Sure. I’m just glad I didn’t have to guess what the formality meant.
Em, the Empatyzer coach
Nia builds openness by reducing distance quickly. Marek shows professional respect through initial formality. The same formal address can therefore signal coldness to one person and good manners to the other. Instead of assigning a hidden intention to the form, ask about the preference. The distance can be reduced later, when both sides feel comfortable with it.