so, when someone has a very similar posting name to you, what do to????

[lilolilmanchester]

There is now a lilolily, totally unrelated to me, but other posters are referring to her as lilo/lilolil, which could get confusing. So how to handle this? I could change my name, but then I'll lose my MN "history". Or could keep my name but cause confusion with the other person. Ideas please?

[LionstarBigPants]

From previous similar threads I think the general outcome is live with it.

[thumbbunny]

Not sure - I'm sure there was something on the MN etiquette thread about newbies NOT doing that, so you could ever so politetly ask them to change it to something less similar - and then live with the outcome.

[lilolilmanchester]

mm, not sure I can live with 2 of us with the same name tbh

[Lilyloo]

Have you tried to ask them if they mind changing if they are new ?

[lilolilmanchester]

thanks Marla, but if you've been around for a couple of years and everyone assumes that a poster is you, it's a bit harsh to say just live with it.

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

I saw someone asking someone else to change their name because it was a bit similar to theirs a while back on a thread and it was AWFUL I thought it really put the person asking in a bad light as she was quite rude about it. To be fair to the new person, though they did change...

[lilolilmanchester]

no, of course not, I don't have any rights to the name at all. But over time, people get to know you, like you, trust you - or the opposite. So to go back to a new name is like starting over and being a newbie again.

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

there are about four milion goats on mn, I dont care, but then I aint "famous" LOL

[thumbbunny]

you could change it to something really similar if you feel you can't ask the other person - like LLManchester? that would get round the similarity BUT people should still know who you are.

[dizzychixies]

there are also LOADS of dizzys and sometimes we end up on the same thread - never been a problem for me

[Hassled]

You have nothing to lose by asking her - but try it privately, via CAT if possible.

[lilolilmanchester]

agree, would be rude and unwelcoming to ask the new Lilo to change. I will change, and hope for her sake no-one thinks she's me!!!

[crumpet]

Not something I care particularly about - I've seen a crumpets and something like hotcrumpets around, but not been an issue so far. However I don't think any of us post frequently (I was here first though!).

[Hassled]

No, ask her first, but nicely (not that you wouldn't be nice - YKWIM). If she says no, then decide re changing.

[PuppyMonkey]

If I had to ask all the other monkeys on MN to change, I would be here all day.

[purplemonkeydishwasher]

there's lots of monkeys. we're all pretty different so it doesn't matter.

BUT there's a purplemonkey now. that really gets on my tits.

[Tortington]

this is exactly the way the last thread went.

no point in arguing it lilolil, somepeople genuinley can't see that your MN handle is part of your MN identity. and when people associated that identity with the wrong person it can be upsetting or distressing.

some people just really honestly or truly can't see it

so you have a couple of options

CAT yhe other lil, change your name to something memorable and sparkley and make a huge announcemnent

or live with it

[Flamesparrow]

These threads always baffle me because they go one of two ways.

Either people are supportive of the original name, and the new person happily changes, or people go nuts and start yelling about no rights to names etc. It seems to depend on the way the wind is blowing.

I am getting confused because I am on a thread with another Flame - thankfully hers is at the end of her name so she isn't called Flame.

I am very attached to my name and completely understand why people get upset. All you can do though is ask nicely if she will change, you can't force the outcome though.