Mentioning someone's name in 1-to-1 conversation

Solution 1:

It depends on the situation, but adding in the name can be helpful for several reasons. As you indicate, condescension may be one such reason, but that is a subset of a larger class of reasons meant to convey intensity. Consider, for instance, "Dan, we have a problem!" Or, "I'm so in love with you, Dan." Both of these are using the name to engage the other side of the conversation on a more urgent or more intimate level.

Note, too, that there is the additional usage in written language whereby the writer can convey clarity about who is talking without having to use additional notation.

"What do you think about going up to Diamond Lake?"

"Oh, Dan! Do you remember how much fun we had camping there?"

"I certainly do, Shirley."

"Let's go again."

This can be used not only to convey information about who the speakers are but to set up a particular style of writing or conversation.