Do you see an "i" or a "c" in there?

[evadne_noel]

What does one do when someone stubbornly and persistently gets one’s name wrong

Comments

[evadne_noel]

Weirdly enough, at the department store where I worked, we pretty much only refered to the chief executive by his first name. That might be because no one wanted to try and pronouce his last name.

But, hey, you got a running joke out of the whole thing.

[evadne_noel]

Just goes to show that no one actually reads their email. My god, man! It's right there!

[ladynorbert]

My name's Laura. I'm constantly dealing with people who think I'm Lori, or occasionally Lauren. I never knew Laura was such a difficult name to remember. (Of course, I'm also known to answer to Lisa or Liza, because those are my sisters' names, and occasionally to Debbie, because some of my elderly relatives can't tell the difference between myself and my mother.)

Honestly, wearing a name tag for a while might be the best answer -- or pick up your nameplate and hold it in her face when she calls you by the wrong name.

[frenchroast]

That's hilarious, because my name is Lori and people constantly call me Laura. I always assumed it was because Laura's the more common name.

And I suggest that instead of a nametag, you just completely freak out on her the next time she does it. That'll give her reason to remember. Maybe. Or just call her by the wrong name all the time. Call *her* Nicole.

[evadne_noel]

Since her name is Laura, maybe I should start calling her Lori.

[evadne_noel]

I wish I came with subtitles, like on the news. I start talking, and my name and title popup underneath me.

But they'd still call us by the wrong names. It's probably just a mental block that refuses to accept "Noelle" and for some odd reason, "Laura."

[jscarlettlg]

I spell my nickname "Jen" with one N. And yet this last place I worked consistently spelled it "Jenn." I worked there for over a year, I mentioned it several times, I have a nametag that says "Jen" AND I sent out numerous emails signed "Jen" and no one got it right. I feel your pain.

I would seriously not respond to her when she calls you Nicole. When she gets so frustrated that she taps you on the shoulder, say, "Oh, my name is Noelle, I didn't know who you were talking to!" or if she calls, say, "No, there's no Nicole at this desk. I'm Noelle, if you are looking for me." Hopefully she'll get the point then!

[evadne_noel]

That's so odd. I think I only know one Jen/Jenn who spells it with a double "n". I always thought that it was an unsual spelling. Maybe someone who worked there before spelled it "Jenn?"

I've tried the non-response in the past, with less than stellar results. They'd apologize, and then immediately turn around and do it again.

[jscarlettlg]

When it's shortened, the double n is redundant. It's not needed--and I don't like the way it looks (no offence to the one you know.)

I'd like to believe it was out of the habit of knowing a previous Jenn, but really, they don't pay attention. They're the kind of people who have been in that particular department FOREVER and don't like change and are more stubborn than necessary. I tried to get them to change a few other minor things (such as handing in paperwork that was due to me come to me, not the other secretary) but they never did. It's none of my concern now, I found a new job (and they spell my name right!) :)

Hopefully your person won't be like that, though, and eventually come around. Good luck!

[evadne_noel]

I think my Jenn does the double "n" to indicate that she is not a Jennifer, like many of the other people around us who are Jens. Or maybe she just like redundancy.

I hope my person won't be like that, but even if they are, this is only a temporary job.

[evadne_noel]

Ha, I'd do that if I thought everyone else in the office could take a joke.