Post: #1

I don't know if this should go in the Travel thread. But do any of you guys use a Nickname or Americanized first name in your daily lives or when talking to girls?

I know almost every chinese student that comes to America will choose an American first name instead of using their Chinese name because it is too difficult for most Americans to pronounce. Also, perhaps when they take English classes, their teachers tell them to pick an American name and they just use it in their professional lives when they move to America.

I know a couple of Chinese guys that go by American first names even though their legal name is something in Chinese, and I think that might be one of the reasons they do really well with American women. Maybe they seem more Westernized because they have an American first name.

What do people think? Should foreign guys use easier to remember and pronounce American names? When you travel to other countries, do you change your name to something easier for girls to pronounce?

Post: #2

If you change your name to fit in - no

If you change your name because you're tired of hearing people mangle it - yes.

But If you tell someone your name, and they want to nickname you - correct them - and take back the frame.

Tchaikovsky
Ovechkin
Nikolaj (dude from Game of Thrones)
Ralph Fiennes - rayf finz not Ralph Fines
Famke Janssen

If a mf'er can pronounce D'Artagnan (from the 3 musketeers) they can pronounce D'Quavious.

Getting people to get your name right is an important battle.

WIA

Post: #3

Well, I think a lot of chinese people just change their name or use the name they use in English class. I suppose it's also to be done to try to fit in more, and perhaps try to make it easier for finding a job and sounding more proficient in english-speaking.

There is a stigma of being a fresh-off-the-boat immigrant who doesn't know english, that I think many people want to avoid.

In America, many students pick Spanish names in spanish class.

I also saw some studies that showed that people with American-ized names were hired easier than someone with a weird foreign name. I think Chris Rock and Keegan and Peele have jokes about weird first names.

And I also wondered if American girls stigmatize guys with Fobby names, and make quick judgements if they can't pronounce the name. Might be an obstacle, or it might be a good talking point for the world traveler girls.

Post: #4

Depends on where your name is from.

Sorry, but if your name is Tsao Tsao then most americans won't be able to say that shit. Also, it sounds funny as hell and, if you aren't careful, you'll get trolled for it.

Any sort of tonal name is gonna be hard for westerners and they WILL butcher it. Like WIA said, if people can't say it, then beat them to the punch and use a nickname, but don't use a nickname because you wanna fit in.

Post: #5

(09-10-2016 09:08 PM)jcrew247 Wrote:  Should foreign guys use easier to remember and pronounce American names? When you travel to other countries, do you change your name to something easier for girls to pronounce?

If your name is hard for foreigners to remember or pronounce, change it to something easier. If you don't, they'll change it for you, and you might not like what they come up with. I once worked with an Indian chick whose first name was [redacted - turns out she's the first Google result for her name]. Unpronounceably long. She went ballistic every time anyone shortened it. Hated that bitch.

Since it's probably obvious from your accent (and maybe your appearance as well) that you're not a native speaker, it can seem incongruent to go by Joe or Scott or Hank. Then again, there's Bruce Lee. A better choice might be a shorter version of your actual name, for example, just the first syllable. If there's a standard translation for your name in English, that's also an option.

If you do stick with your actual name, learn to pronounce it slowly in English, not at the same pace you'd say it in your native language. This is harder than it seems, since you've been saying it at a natural pace for you all your life. Also, change any sounds that aren't in English to their nearest approximate sound in English. That's the way English speakers will end up pronouncing it anyway, so you might as well model it for them that way from the start.

Post: #6

It depends - in Thailand, everyone has a nickname and uses it instead of their real first name - so I don't mind people giving me nicknames.

Post: #7

(09-11-2016 12:43 AM)Rawmeo Wrote:  It depends - in Thailand, everyone has a nickname and uses it instead of their real first name - so I don't mind people giving me nicknames.

I have a few nicknames that go with my official Russian name. Might as well use another, English nickname.

Post: #8

Years ago I did a class with a guy just arrived from China named "Bin". He politely pointed out that he didn't want to be called Bin, as in english it's "like this one" (pointing to garbage can)

"Just call me Ben" He said

But oh, no, not our culturally enlightened feminists and faggy SJW hipsters, they have to continue calling him "Bin" despite his protests, because it makes them feel all culturally enlightened and special. Despite the fact they're pronouncing it all wrong and he knows that as english speakers they're basically calling him "trashcan"

Me and the other people with cocks and balls called him "Ben" or "Benny", which he liked.

Mind you it's a bit of an Australian tradition for men to end up with nicknames they hate. I know blokes who have nicknames for life that completely replaced their real names (apart from on official documents etc) simply because they hated them.

Post: #9

Yes in pick up you always need a nickname like "Mysterious" or "Gladiator". It really sets you apart. Also wear a big hat and a feather boa. Then girls remember your name better.

Post: #10

Agree with west indie Archie. Be comfortable with your name as it is your identity. Change only if it sounds weird in the country you are visiting or staying. I have a quite complicated Indian name. So I only use the first syllable when I introduce myself to a girl I cold approach. I also make sure I pronounce it slowly and spell it for them.

I will also ask my name again and see if they remember. If they do remember.i will say not bad, good memory or plus two points. If they get it wrong I would say , I hate you or I dont like you anymore. It's kinda like a qualifying test if I am not wrong and it works quite well. So if you have a complicated name, you can use it to your advantage.

PS: if you are Indian and have name such as
Sukdeep : pronounced as suck deep by certain people
Ramedeep: pretty obvious, ram her deep

Then its better to have a shorter name.

Post: #11

Don't change your name, regardless of which country you are in. Your name is part of your identity.

I have a Hmong buddy who was born and raised in the US and his name is impossible to pronounce. He's like 5'6" but gets laid like a boss (especially white girls) because he doesn't give a fuck. He tells people how to say his name and corrects anyone who fucks it up. His name is spelled nothing like how it sounds.

It's all about frame.

My last name is short but easy to mispronounce. I don't care if I'm at a bar, conference, job interview, etc. I always correct people who pronounce it wrong.

Own your name and teach people how to say it.

Post: #12

(09-11-2016 06:35 PM)wi30 Wrote:  Don't change your name, regardless of which country you are in. Your name is part of your identity.

I don't know... I met a Vietnamese guy in Alabama whose name was Phuc Nguyen (pronounced "Fuck When").

It sounded like a question. Like "Fuck When? Oh, you fuck right NOW!"

If my name meant fuck in another country, I'd change that shit.

Post: #13

I once went to work at a site and was told the guys who I'd be working with were Bob and Gary, I was a bit perplexed when I showed up and the two guys were middle aged Chinese guys who spoke broken Engrish, they obviously had new Canadian names. Myself on the other hand have a fairly common English name that everyone is familiar with but it very uncommon and unknown in Colombia so I just use my middle name, which just so happens to be the name of Colombia's most popular soccer player, so it makes it easier for everyone.

Post: #14

You guys should hear the jokes that people in Latin America have for Putin.

Pinche Putín.

Post: #15

(09-11-2016 07:51 PM)BrewDog Wrote:  If my name meant fuck in another country, I'd change that shit.

I try to get my students to pronounce the word FOCUS with a diphthong, like native speakers do. Otherwise it sounds like FUCK US. If I laughed in their face they might never make that mistake again but it wouldn't be very teacherly of me.

Post: #16

(09-11-2016 04:58 PM)brokinetic Wrote:  PS: if you are Indian and have name such as
Sukdeep : pronounced as suck deep by certain people
Ramedeep: pretty obvious, ram her deep

Then its better to have a shorter name.

"Nice to meet you. My name's Ramedeep Inapusi, but everybody just calls me Rammer"

Works.

Post: #17

(09-11-2016 09:27 AM)TornadoByProxy Wrote:  Yes in pick up you always need a nickname like "Mysterious" or "Gladiator". It really sets you apart. Also wear a big hat and a feather boa. Then girls remember your name better.

Well, I guess an American name serves 2 purposes: (1) Its to allow for American girls to say it easier and to remember it easier and (2) its also about making an American girl feel more comfortable around and Americanized guy and not stigmatize or label someone as a foreigner. I suppose in a work environment, a co-worker wants to make other people feel comfortable and at ease when talking to him instead of fumbling around trying to say his first name - or if someone spoke broken english and it would be easier to just use an American name instead of increasing the language barrier. What I'm saying its both to fit in personally, but also to make the audience and the community feel more comfortable, and also allow someone to assimilate better into a different culture or country.

Now legally and biologically a person's first name will always be unchanged - but its also kind of unique and an interesting experiment to take on an entirely new name (and possibly a new identity or personality traits) in a different country. Maybe someone has a boring biological name, but then decides to use a more provacotive name that gets more attention and makes him appear more interesting.

There are also plenty of actors that have changed their ethnic names and have gotten more acting gigs and better jobs. I guess Hollywood and American audiences prefer to stereotype actors as all-american.