Is it bad manners to shorten someone's name?

pilly

I'm just wondering if people consider it bad manners to shorten someone's name if you can't pronounce it?

I have to do it sometimes because our employees are from other countries and I simply can not pronounce their names but feel rude not to use their name when I say hello?

9or10

No Pill its grand

uch

Yes

January

Yes it's rude unless you are asked by that person to shorten it.

BENDYBINN

9or10 wrote: »

No Pill its grand

No one would have thought of that only you

Ted111

pilly wrote: »

from other countries and I simply can not pronounce their names

Jocular slap on the back....
How's she cuttin, horsebox, have you that spreadsheet for me?

seamus

Yes, it is rude to modify anyone's name in any way without them asking or telling you to.

This includes shortening it, modifying the pronunciation, or interpreting it into a different language.

If you're unsure of how to pronounce it or would like to use a shorter version, ask first. Say, "I'm sorry but I don't know how to pronounce your name." Most people will then tell you how, or give you a different name to use.

HensVassal

I lengthen peoples' names.

My friend Phil I call Phillibuster. My barman Max I call Maximus, Maxwell, Maximillian, etc. My mate Tom I call Tomazceski (after the great Polish goalie).

pilly

seamus wrote: »

Yes, it is rude to modify anyone's name in any way without them asking or telling you to.

This includes shortening it, modifying the pronunciation, or interpreting it into a different language.

If you're unsure of how to pronounce it or would like to use a shorter version, ask first. Say, "I'm sorry but I don't know how to pronounce your name." Most people will then tell you how, or give you a different name to use.

Some have said "just call me Zibby or whatever". Some don't though and actually don't have enough English to understand when I say I can't pronounce your name so it's fairly awkward.

The_Valeyard

Depends if it's funny.

pilly

Ted111 wrote: »

Jocular slap on the back....
How's she cuttin, horsebox, have you that spreadsheet for me?

How's she cuttin horsebox could be quite confusing for some!!!

Ted111

Some Chinese people adapt an English name that bears no connection
to their native, given name.

My name is Li Wei, but Paul is my english name

The chinese are great people to paraphrase somebody.


We can have chinese names too Get a chinese name

pilly

Ted111 wrote: »

Some Chinese people adapt an English name that bears no connection
to their native, given name.

My name is Li Wei, but Paul is my english name

The chinese are great people to paraphrase somebody.


We can have chinese names too Get a chinese name

Yeah, some of them here are called Paddy too but I think they've just decided that's their Irish name!

pilly

Ted111 wrote: »

Some Chinese people adapt an English name that bears no connection
to their native, given name.

My name is Li Wei, but Paul is my english name

The chinese are great people to paraphrase somebody.


We can have chinese names too Get a chinese name

My Chinese name is Binling Deng!! I don't like it!

Alun

There's a guy who works in my local Aldi, who by his accent and looks is clearly not Irish, although I can't quite place where he's from. He does bear a striking resemblance to Dale Winton though, even down to the orange fake tan, and proudly wears an Aldi name tag with "Dale" written on it. I must ask him his real name one day

Olishi4

I personally wouldn't mind but usually go by the name they tell me. If I can't pronounce it, I just ask them to clarify it.

I did once work in a receptionist role when I was about 18. One of my colleagues and I were always joking and winding each other up, we got on really well though. One day I told him "I'm bored, I think I might change your name today" and he said "what? ye can't do that" and said "i am, why can't I?".

I only did it a few times but when someone called the office and asked for him, theyd say "can I speak to colm smith please", I'd say "ohhhh eh ye sure...you mean colm smithy?" and the caller would say "em eh ye?"

He sat at a desk directly across from me so when he'd hear me do it, he'd give me a "you little bitch" look!

Ted111

pilly wrote: »

My Chinese name is Binling Deng!! I don't like it!

It's not so bad, Paul.

The flying mouse

:mad: There's folk on here who keep calling me mouse :mad:

bbari

My name is Bilal. My colleagues call me Bill, Billy, Billy Bob, Billy Bob Thornton, Billiam, William! They don't mean to offend me so I am not offended at all. Few colleagues did ask me if I mind when they call me with those names and I said I don't!

pilly

Ted111 wrote: »

It's not so bad, Paul.

It sounds dirty. You're close but my real name is Paula!

The flying mouse

bbari wrote: »

My name is Bilal. My colleagues call me Bill, Billy, Billy Bob, Billy Bob Thornton, Billiam, William! They don't mean to offend me so I am not offended at all. Few colleagues did ask me if I mind when they call me with those names and I said I don't!

Why didn't you just sing

You can call me Al

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

It depends. My name has 3 shorter versions that people call me. People I'd talk to a good bit will call me one of the shorter versions. One is more "intimate" in that only my parents ever shortened it down to, or people now I'm incredibly close to. If someone I'm not close to calls me it it would actually make me wince because the last person to use a lot was my dad and I don't like hearing it anymore. I actually stopped going to a hairdresser because she always shortened my name down to it. On the other side I don't like people calling me by my first name if they know me because the full thing is very "you're in trouble now" and it makes me uneasy.


TL:DR

I don't care what I'm called as long as it's not too early in the morning

midnight city

Yeah my boss shortened my name to dick one time. I'm not even called Richard though..

osarusan

Yes, it is.

Especially if they don't like it but you continue to do it.

It always annoys me when English speakers (and, infuriatingly, English language teachers) unilaterally decide to give a foreign person, such as a Chinese student, an English name, just because they can't be bothered pronouncing their actual name.

pilly

osarusan wrote: »

Yes, it is.

Especially if they don't like it but you continue to do it.

It always annoys me when English speakers (and, infuriatingly, English language teachers) unilaterally decide to give a foreign person, such as a Chinese student, an English name, just because they can't be bothered pronouncing their actual name.

It's honestly not just a case of not being bothered. It is genuinely a case of not being able to. And it's not just me. Plenty of people have the same problem. If I can pronounce a name I will use it no problem.

Herb Powell

Yeah. Pure fucckin laziness.

Gen.Zhukov

midnight city wrote: »

Yeah my boss shortened my name to dick one time. I'm not even called Richard though..

Got a genuine business fax from a guy in England years ago

".................
Yours Faithfully,

Richard Brain"

DEFTLEFTHAND

It's disrespectful not to learn somebodies name, especially if you're working with them. Ask them the pronunciation if unsure.

RGDATA!

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

It's disrespectful not to learn somebodies name, especially if you're working with them. Ask them the pronunciation if unsure.

He already explained that he simply can't do that.

pilly

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

It's disrespectful not to learn somebodies name, especially if you're working with them. Ask them the pronunciation if unsure.

So can you pronounce every foreign name once someone tells you how it's pronounced. I have already explained there are words that I simply can not pronounce.

Bear in mind now that most of my colleagues don't speak any English, I'm actually the one in the awkward position. Is it disrespectful for them not to speak to me in English?

toptom

Its the height of ignorance unless your close to the person