Can we just call you Harry?
So the weekend is upon us again. Yesterday, I had a friend tell me about an oh-so-common experience. His name is Harjinder [or something like that] and at work his co-workers asked if they could call him Harry. Something akin to when Barack went by Barry, back in the day. So Harry, ahem I mean Harjinder, stood his ground and insisted that his co-worker learn his real name. So on this Friday, I throw it out there, what are some of the names people have asked to call you?
Also for your viewing pleasure, here is a clip on the subject from one of the GREATEST programs ever: Goodness Gracious Me.
20 Responses to “Can we just call you Harry?”
Funny episode but this one is so much more pertinent 😛
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cVqA8qBOlQ
Funny episode but this one is so much more pertinent 😛
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cVqA8qBOlQ
I had a friend whose name was amandeep and her boyfriend, who was also Punjabi, insisted on introducing her to his friends as "Amanda". The thing that gets me if that he was punjabi…. and he changed her name for his non-indian friends. So strange.
I think it's kinda sad when people change their name so they won't be made fun of. I mean, some of the punjabi names sound kinda funny in englihs cuz of the way they're pronounced, but names go beyond pronunciation. So how much of your identity are you gonna shed? Lose your name, then wear contacts, put on skin lightening cream, then die your hair blond. At some point in time, your going to have to live w/ the fact that ur brown & ur punjabi.
In high school, I heard of kids making fun of our names. but i never cared enough to go changing it. I remember some Philippino kids making fun of our names. Their names were american and their last names were Spanish since the Philippines were conquered by Spain and they were forced to convert. So, now looking back, I'd rather have a name that represents freedom (even if it sounds funny) than a slave name that fits in. That's one way to look at it i guess.
I had a friend whose name was amandeep and her boyfriend, who was also Punjabi, insisted on introducing her to his friends as “Amanda”. The thing that gets me if that he was punjabi…. and he changed her name for his non-indian friends. So strange.
Camille.
But on a more serious note, I think it's an issue of respect. I would rather have someone make an effort and ask how to pronounce an unfamiliar name than Anglicize it. "English" names are not necessarily common to others (the exception being via the spread of Christianity), and if I take the effort to pronounce Krzyzewski or Favre correctly, then I think it's fair for someone to try to do the same for others.
I think it’s kinda sad when people change their name so they won’t be made fun of. I mean, some of the punjabi names sound kinda funny in englihs cuz of the way they’re pronounced, but names go beyond pronunciation. So how much of your identity are you gonna shed? Lose your name, then wear contacts, put on skin lightening cream, then die your hair blond. At some point in time, your going to have to live w/ the fact that ur brown & ur punjabi.
In high school, I heard of kids making fun of our names. but i never cared enough to go changing it. I remember some Philippino kids making fun of our names. Their names were american and their last names were Spanish since the Philippines were conquered by Spain and they were forced to convert. So, now looking back, I’d rather have a name that represents freedom (even if it sounds funny) than a slave name that fits in. That’s one way to look at it i guess.
Camille.
But on a more serious note, I think it’s an issue of respect. I would rather have someone make an effort and ask how to pronounce an unfamiliar name than Anglicize it. “English” names are not necessarily common to others (the exception being via the spread of Christianity), and if I take the effort to pronounce Krzyzewski or Favre correctly, then I think it’s fair for someone to try to do the same for others.
Hilarious … "Goodness Gracious Me"!
As for names, my Algebra teacher told me she wanted to call me "Ravvee because it's more jazzzyyyy", instead of Ravi.
Hilarious … “Goodness Gracious Me”!
As for names, my Algebra teacher told me she wanted to call me “Ravvee because it’s more jazzzyyyy”, instead of Ravi.
I think the most common, for guys at least, are letters. If your name is Gurdeep, then they want to call you "G." If your name is Dalvinder, then it is "D." Funny, I think those are the only letters. I have never heard of a Manpreet, being called "M." I do have a friend Manjit that went by Max. Haha, do even goray go by the name Max?
I think the most common, for guys at least, are letters. If your name is Gurdeep, then they want to call you “G.” If your name is Dalvinder, then it is “D.” Funny, I think those are the only letters. I have never heard of a Manpreet, being called “M.” I do have a friend Manjit that went by Max. Haha, do even goray go by the name Max?
At a Starbucks Ongkar at different times became "Omar" and "A Car."
At a Starbucks Ongkar at different times became “Omar” and “A Car.”
i am sometimes called Jeet. others are often called or introduce themselves as Deep.
my dad's name is Harjinder. he often tells people to refer to him as Harji, which they can pronounce without butchering and remember. naturally, Johnny Quest fans sometimes call him Hadji, but he doesn't seem to mind.
i am sometimes called Jeet. others are often called or introduce themselves as Deep.
my dad’s name is Harjinder. he often tells people to refer to him as Harji, which they can pronounce without butchering and remember. naturally, Johnny Quest fans sometimes call him Hadji, but he doesn’t seem to mind.
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