This has turned out to be such an enjoyable event. I went home with a sore face from laughing so hard. Part of the humor was due to the theme of the month. Our menu was "Asian Flair". And as we got seated around the beautiful dining room table we noticed something was missing........silverware. Yes, you guessed it - - we had to eat the entire meal with chopsticks.
As you can imagine, this led to all sorts of fun. We had one "pro" in our midst who had studied in China for several months. She attempted to teach us and then she laughed at us - a lot. It's not as easy as it looks.
During the appetizer portion, while we were all just chatting in the living room, I noticed the lady next to me called me Jill. Well, we were all in a big conversation and I just let it go. Later in the evening someone across the table asked me a question, using my name. Then the other lady realized and said, "Oh I've been calling you Jill all night". I said, Oh thats OK, you can call me Jill. We all laughed and it kind of became a "thing" for the rest of the night.
So it begs the question - When someone you have just recently met calls you by the wrong name, do you correct them ?? Do you let it go once ? But then if you don't correct it and it goes on for too long, can you correct it then ?
Several years ago I met a woman at a function. The next time I saw her she called me Susan. It was just a hello in passing so I let it go. Then it happened again. Well, I let it go before so maybe it was too late to correct it now (thats what I told myself) About a year later I was at an event with Auntie. This woman again says "Hi Susan". Auntie scrunched up her face and whispered "Did she just say Susan ?" I grabbed her by the arm, pulled her along and said "Just go with it - Its gone on for 2 years now." LOL
OMG Jill you are so funny... I mean Susan... I mean Kim. I am usually to embarrassed to correct them. I don't know why I'm the one embarrassed but I am. I enjoy your posts Kim, I always have a good chuckle.
ReplyDeleteToo funny! I usually get called Whitney by mistake! It's always a tough call to correct or not.
ReplyDeleteIt cracks me up that you don't correct them! I guess sometimes it can be a conversation interruption to do so. I had a whole group of people in my life at a job who called me ONdrea (vs. ANdrea)--it became like a nickname. Eventually some of them caught on that nobody else said it like that and asked if i cared...but it was still the same name! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you joined that dinner group. It seems like you're all having such a nice time. You always have something special to look forward to each month.
ReplyDeleteI never correct people who call me Julie and I get called that a lot. When they find out that my name is Julia, I usually say, "You can call me what ever you like".
JB
Kim I had forgotten about your Women's Dinner Club! Asian! How fun :) I love trying to use chopsticks and I always look forward to the fortune cookie. I know I am just weird that way. I always have a problem with my name and I am always having to explain how I got it. People usually get it right when they know what it is. But I would and have corrected someone when they call me by a totally different name. It just feels too odd and I don't feel like we can begin to know each other if they don't have my name right. I would want someone to correct me just like I would want them to tell me I have spinach in my teeth or TP hanging out my pants!
ReplyDeleteI sort of feel that a person's name is their unique possession. I have been called other names, and try to say something like, My given name is Martha, but only my mom and Uncle Sam ever called me that, most people just call be Marti. It helps at dinners and such either to have placards at the table with your name, or cute name tags.
ReplyDeleteJill ~
ReplyDeleteThat dinner group sounds like so much fun!
I am terrible with names so I usually avoid calling anyone by name unless I am really, really sure. I wish I would pay more attention when introduced, plus CRS doesn't help. I'm like you, though, and wouldn't initially say anything. I wouldn't want the person to be embarrassed.
Hugs :)
Lauren
That's so funny. I go along with whatever I am called. It's not that big a deal when someone gets my name wrong.
ReplyDeleteYikes...I would have come home one hungry Susan...Jill...Kim - whatever - and hit the oreos big time. Have you ever seen a crow try to use chopsticks??? ;o) As for the name thing - guess it depends on the situation - if it's a chance encounter and I doubt I'll ever see the person again soon, I let it go - otherwise, I usually correct it with humor (whether it comes off as humor is another story....) But, my name is pretty hard to get wrong - and seems to be one that folks remember (for better or for worse....) Glad you got some giggles in....we're getting snowed upon good - we were without satellite (tv and computer) so I finally went out and shoveled off the dishes. What they hey??? Sideways snow.....Happy Sunday! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin
ReplyDeleteLove your story ~ and would love to come to your dinner group!! Years ago, we had a new neighbor who called me Sally or Sal ~ for six months! Finally, I did correct him and he said "No! Your name is Sally!" I had a hard time convincing him otherwise ~ it was pretty funny!!
ReplyDeleteAlice!!
There was a seinfelt episode on this someone called Elaine suzy. It was pretty funny. The first time I hear a wrong name I let it go pretending I didn't hear it. But correct them after. sounds like you are having a great time with your women's group.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Hi Kim,Well it is hard to remember everyone's name when you meet so many people. But I don't like it when people assume a name like Cheri is a Cheryl and it's the same thing to call you that. Sounds silly to be annoyed by that.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yep I've had people do that to me too, and I usually let it go just because I'm afraid saying "No, my name is Meg" would come out so rude. Although if it goes on for too long... or I really hate my "new" name, then I'll try to correct them. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny, it happens to me too. You know I have corrected people and they still call me the name they called me before so I just let it go.
ReplyDeleteMeg, posted above me, my Mom never called her anything but Heather. It drove me nuts. I would tell her over and over, but Meg was always Heather.
Meg was always a good sport though.
My grand mother always called me Sue.
That was my Mom's name, since she had lost her daughter I just let it be.
I like Jill though. :) I bet you had a very fun time.
Another good question, Kim. I've wondered this for years; having a name like mine I've gotten called Mary, Marie, Marta, and Martha (not to mention others I won't blight your blog with). I finally decided if it's someone I don't really care about and either won't see again or only see once in a blue moon, just let it go. Whatever! Too many other things to think about. Your friend, Martin (ha ha ha)
ReplyDeleteI can kind of picture that happening to you. Funny really. I'm not sure if I would correct it or not. Actually I probably would. Glad you had such a great time.
ReplyDeleteSandie
Love your new wall paper.
Well Susan, I know just what you mean. It's happened to me a few times and I just didn't have the guts to correct them. So my advice, Jill, is to just take it with a grain of salt and let it go. That way, Kim, you won't have to embarrass anyone.
ReplyDeleteI'm so bad with names...if I call someone the wrong name (and I'm not doing it on purpose because I'm mad or something)I hope they would just tell me. On the other hand it has happened to me and I did just what you did. Oh well, Fat Head isn't really too bad. I'm glad you had fun and think of all the calories not eaten because it took so long or you just couldn't get the food to your mouth!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many ladies turned in their chopsticks for fingers! It sounds like you really know how to have fun Susan. ;)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie