use someone’s name then panic that you’ve said the wrong one. Like the name sounds wrong in your mouth but you can’t stop repeating it throughout the conversation? Thereby spending the whole conversation in a panic that at any minute they are going to correct you and tell you how offended they are. Or is that just me?
I hasten to add this doesn’t happen all the time…just occasionally and usually with people who I see regulary so I really do know their names.

It personalizes things and lord knows we need more warmness and kindness in this world.

on the phone, as there are a lot of people I talk to regularly but have never met, so there are limited ways to strengthen an acquaintanceship. I think it does make a difference, especially when thanking people.