I was at the bank this morning, sitting comfortably on the couch in that over air conditioned part of the building. My turn is not yet up so I have to wait, maybe a couple of customers after, I will be called.
A voice over echoed the customer service department. No one stood up. I did not stand up, it was not me, I am sure – yet everyone is looking at me! The Arab guy calling the customer name on the microphone repeated again and again, his pronounciation exactly like this: “Grrrassy”, with extra-heavy accent on the GR consonant cluster and a long hiss on the series of s at the last.
Would you even think he was referring to me? I did not have a single clue that my name, when pronounced in Arabic would sound like “Grrrassy”.
Has anyone murdered your name yet?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that is rather common. They even pronounce the surname of one of our very famous golf players wrong.
I suppose in time you’ll get used to it
Hello, Ms. Grassy! How funny! My name is so common in the States that it NEVER gets messed up. “Jennifer” is always, always in the top 5 names of the year. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a group of people without a Jennifer! Okay, maybe a few times, but you know what I mean!
jennifer in OR’s last blog post..Pumpkin Patch/Petting Zoo in Black and White
People here simply can’t pronounce my name. It usually comes out like Roe-bean or Ruben, but Rabin isn’t that uncommon either. Never just Robin. I’ve resorted to telling people it’s “Robin, like Robin Hood”. They still pronounce it Roe-bean after that, but at least they know what they’re aiming for.
Robin’s last blog post..So angry I’m about to have a coronary!
LOL! Not as brutal as that…
Just simply mistaken as “Sheila”.
The Japanese think that my name only became Shiera because they have no “L” here…
The non-Japanese think it’s Sheila because it’s more common.
shiera’s last blog post..Revelations ABC
same here ate grrrassy , este ate grace hehe…. i think, mine’s worse.
the privilege card from our caterer , my name was printed: Lucille Bostardo. both first and last names, murdered. double dead.
Oh man, I don’t think I’ve ever heard that name mispronounced. My mom’s name is Grace and she usually goes by Grace or Gracie. I can’t recall anyone not knowing how to say it. Now our last name…that’s a whole different story!
Thank you for the comment on my blog. I wish I were a professional photographer, it is my dream! I hope to one day become a children’s photographer. I finally got my first digital SLR last Christmas after wanting one for years! If you’re wondering about the copyright…there was a big flickr fiasco where photos of kids were being stolen and put on a different website with online profiles, yuck!
Rachel’s last blog post..exhausted…as usual
My last name is DesRochers pronounced Deh Row Shay. We get Deh Roach and other weird things. lol Get use to it hun.
Rose’s last blog post..Funny Monday- College Humor- College Jokes
I had one officemate before who called me Jen. And a teacher way before who called me Jenaida!
zamejias[verb]‘s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Lobster