I notice here in te USA that first name usage is more common now than surname usage, at least in the customer situations I find myself in. So it doesn;t bug me, really. But what is somewhat annoying is seeing 'sir and ma'am' fall out of disuse. Or maybe it's more me. People see my crutches and automatically see fit to be much more informal, or even maternal, with me.
"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan
