The struggles of having a tricky name
My most common struggle, second only to trying to get into skinny jeans, is having a tricky name. It’s a struggle that not only irritates us tricky-namers regularly, but (more importantly) unites us, as we have all experienced the same problems on a day-to-day basis. Virtual group hug guys — you’re not alone. Here are some of the most irritating struggles faced by those of us who have a tricky name (AKA, any name unfamiliar to most people or with an uncommon spelling).
The overly-obvious statements about your unusual name.
“Isn’t that a boy’s name?” “Did your parents make that name up?” “That’s spelled weird.” Tell me more about my own name. Please.
The awkward pause when the substitute teacher works out how to pronounce your name.
The whole class knows that it’s your name that’s causing the hold up. And the whole class know that the sub will undoubtedly get it wrong, no matter how hard they try. It’s not really the teacher’s fault, but these moments are cringeworthy to a person with a tricky name.
Name badges lose all benefit.
Name badges are fun and designed to eliminate awkwardness. But when faced with using a name badge when you have a tricky name, it loses all purpose. If anything they CREATE awkwardness. I just try to drop my name into conversation until I’m sure most people are comfortable.
That thing when you repeat your name 4 times and then you just agree with what they call you.
Yeah, that’s it. Rachel? Not my name but sure, cool, whatever. Just end the awkwardness.
You can never find a keyring, bottle or room sign with your name on it.
But you have at least ten things that say, “They didn’t have your name, you must be unique!”
