When a conrunner behind a desk who knows me personally says to me, "May I help you?" rather than greeting me by name, it's conrunner language time, and as a volunteer I feel treated like useful meat instead of as an equal co-worker. I did some low-level volunteer work at ConJose and left feeling disrespected and unappreciated. (Especially when, without telling me, ops sent regular staff to do the same job I'd clearly signed up for.) That's your real problem.

"May I help you" is conrunner language? Sorry, but in my world, that's standard practice. If someone comes to my office door and I'm distracted, that's the kind of question I ask. Yes, even of my close colleagues -- because my mother taught me to be courteous in my speech. I backslide, of course, rather frequently, with those I know well.

There are times where mis-communication between areas or people, poor communication skills by supervisor-types, and lack of personal knowledge of someone puts off one of our volunteers. I'm sorry that happened to you -- anyone who's worked very hard at planning a Worldcon hates to hear that a volunteer was made to feel like that.