so how do they call you?
By Grace on Oct 22, 2007 in Only in Dubai
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?
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
Melany (Supermom) | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
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
jennifer in OR | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
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!
Robin | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
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.
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shiera | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
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.
ellecul | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
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!
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Rachel | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
My last name is DesRochers pronounced Deh Row Shay. We get Deh Roach and other weird things. lol Get use to it hun.
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Rose | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
I had one officemate before who called me Jen. And a teacher way before who called me Jenaida!
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