I had a client who called recently to update her name in our files. Per company policy, we need to receive copies of certain legal documents, including a marriage license and a form emailed or faxed to a particular admin. I said that I'd be happy to assist her with the name change, advised her of the process and its time frame, and inquired whether she had any questions.
Yes, she said, why didn't you congratulate me?
I gaped like a fish at that. I don't know her socially. It's sort of weird--by traditional standards anyway--to congratulate a woman on her marriage. She was calling about our business relationship. She'd been married six months ago. All good reasons not to bring it up, right?
Anyway, I mustered poise enough to say something about wishing her and Mr Whomever the very best.
She freaked out at that and demanded to speak to my boss about how terribly rude I'd been, saying things like "would it kill that b-word to say 'congratulations' like a human being?"
Was I wrong not to acknowledge her marriage when I spoke to her about making the name change? Or was she being sort of a SS? Or were we both a bit off?