I’ve the same problem with my Jewish surname. I usually spell it out using the international phonetic code (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie etc.), especially over the phone… For some reason, with my accent, the French hear “P” when I pronounce “B”…
My last name begins with an “I”. People invariably spell it with an “E”, even after I tell them. “You’re not in our system.” “Try beginning with I” “Oh, there you are!”.
My last name is German and is regularly butchered. I know when sales people call me – they get extra time if they can actually say it correctly (probably 1 out of every 20 – usually German speakers)
I have a very unusual last name which can be pronounced a few ways, including the right way. When I Google it, in fact, only members of my extended family appear! I’ve gotten to the point where I rarely correct people. I’m tired of fighting it. However, if a person asks or if the pronounce it correctly I thank them.
My real name is Michelle, but I go by Shell. People don’t mispronounce it, but I sure do get some weird reactions. They just stare and are silent, they ask “What?”, “Shell?”. Like it’s the weirdest name in the world or something. I tell them, you know like in “Sea Shell? It’s short for Michelle”. They still look at me weird. I worked as a cashier in a grocery store. One day, a man came through and told me I spelled my name wrong! WHAT?! Well, it is MY name, so….
DonPoole over 4 years ago
’Cause you did that.
A Common 'tator over 4 years ago
I’ve the same problem with my Jewish surname. I usually spell it out using the international phonetic code (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie etc.), especially over the phone… For some reason, with my accent, the French hear “P” when I pronounce “B”…
Ninette over 4 years ago
People cannot hear the spelling of my 5 letter last name.
My house address is 20002. After providing it (spoken as two, zero, zero, zero, two) it is, invariably, recited back as 2002.
Mr. JRB over 4 years ago
Huda thunk it? lol
MIHorn Premium Member over 4 years ago
My last name begins with an “I”. People invariably spell it with an “E”, even after I tell them. “You’re not in our system.” “Try beginning with I” “Oh, there you are!”.
midevilmommy over 4 years ago
My last name is German and is regularly butchered. I know when sales people call me – they get extra time if they can actually say it correctly (probably 1 out of every 20 – usually German speakers)
Buoy over 4 years ago
Like most things in life, you can let it rule/bother you, or you can focus on what is important.
944im Premium Member over 4 years ago
none so ignorant as the willfully ignorant
Sassy's Mom over 4 years ago
I have a very unusual last name which can be pronounced a few ways, including the right way. When I Google it, in fact, only members of my extended family appear! I’ve gotten to the point where I rarely correct people. I’m tired of fighting it. However, if a person asks or if the pronounce it correctly I thank them.
quanyindove over 4 years ago
My real name is Michelle, but I go by Shell. People don’t mispronounce it, but I sure do get some weird reactions. They just stare and are silent, they ask “What?”, “Shell?”. Like it’s the weirdest name in the world or something. I tell them, you know like in “Sea Shell? It’s short for Michelle”. They still look at me weird. I worked as a cashier in a grocery store. One day, a man came through and told me I spelled my name wrong! WHAT?! Well, it is MY name, so….
Sigh…People…..
me_the_polish_gull almost 4 years ago
lol
Zesty over 3 years ago
If it rhymes with woulda, shoulda, coulda (as per a previous strip), I can’t see why pronunciation would be difficult.
Getting the pronunciation from the spelling is trickier. Could be Hood-a or Who-da or Hue-da (and the ‘a’ could be an ‘ah’ … ).
Decepticomic over 3 years ago
Sigh… Nametags? Nah, they’d probably think it was the name of an organization.