The manager of a large office approached the new man who had just been hired one day and asked him to come into his office.

“What’s your name?” asked the manager when they were in his office.

“John,” the new man replied.

“Okay. First rule,” the manager said in a stern voice. “Here we don’t call anyone by their first names. It breeds familiarity and that leads to a breakdown in authority. I refer to my employees by last name only — Smith, Jones, Baker — that’s all. I am to be referred to as Robinson. Are we clear on that?”

“Yes,” the new man said.

“Good,” said the manager. “What is your last name?”

“Darling,” the man replied. “My name is John Darling.”

The manager’s face went through a series of twisted expressions. He looked down for a moment, then back up. He continued, “Okay, John, listen...”