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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to wish that my surname was nearer the beginning of the alphabet

44 replies

shewhowines · 19/01/2012 20:13

I have vivid memories of teachers making us do things in alphabetical order and because my surname was near the end of the alphabet, always either missing out altogether because time ran out or losing out on the novelty factor.
I married DH, whose name is also towards the end and now I see it happening again with my DC's.

Do people get a better deal with surnames at the beginning of the alphabet?

OP posts:

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 19/01/2012 20:15

YANBU. My unmarried surname was towards the end of the alphabet and my married almost right at the beginning. I love it!

Not sure that it had any major detrimental affect on me, though!

Yama · 19/01/2012 20:16

Yes, I think they do. Marginally.

marriedinwhite · 19/01/2012 20:16

I'm with you on this one as my name began with a letter that came in the last 5 letters. Ha not hesitation taking dh's name and the dc haven't had a problem as we are in the first 10. I think you are right especially if you have a really unusual first name too.

ChippyMinton · 19/01/2012 20:17

YANBU
In the middle is good as you get to see how other people get on first!

tethersend · 19/01/2012 20:18

YANBU.

My surname begins with B and, to be honest, I've led a charmed life.

Groovee · 19/01/2012 20:19

In my work we do forwards one day, backwards another. It seems to be done randomly with the dc's school.

PurpleKittyKnitting · 19/01/2012 20:19

I went from one end of the alphabet to the other when I got married!

Not noticed any difference tbh!

Once when I was in 4th year in English the teacher was making us all do a talk in front of the class. He said he normally got the kids to do it in alphabetical order (I was very pleased with this as I knew I was leaving the school as we were moving in 2 weeks and wouldn't have to do it) but then he sprung it on us and he did it backward alphabet order so I was the first one :(

nowwearefour · 19/01/2012 20:19

I joke with my dh that o only married him to get a surname higher up the alphabet than I started with!

NickNacks · 19/01/2012 20:20

I think my kids do miss out on some things but gain in others. For instance ds1 has to learn and perform a piece of poetry this term and they are doing them 2 a week and he is on the last wk meaning he has more time to learn and prep.

lililolo · 19/01/2012 20:22

Yeah, my surname begins with an A and I love it. Poor DD is a 'H' and I always forget I have to look half way down a list of names for her. Luckily her first name begins with a 'C' and they go by first names at her school.

LindyHemming · 19/01/2012 20:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LiegeAndLief · 19/01/2012 20:22

YANBU. My maiden name and married name are both at the end of the alphabet. I remember feeling bitter about it at school (apart from when we all had to line up for flu jabs).

Poor ds is in Y1 and mentions at least once a week how UNFAIR it is that he comes last. I think his teacher must have been an A or B at school as she gets them to do everything in alphabetical order - lining up for anything, show and tell, special helper etc etc. When I picked ds up on the last day of last term he said they had had an advent calendar at school that the teacher had let them open in alphabetical order and they had only got as far as the Gs. I'm not convinced this is true as it sounds so ridiculously unfair to a bunch of 5 year olds but I was still incensed! Old resentments obviously still very close to the surface

GirlWithPointyShoes · 19/01/2012 20:23

YABU. You could be Mrs Anus or Mrs Bumcheeks or Mrs Cu.. You get the picture.

Fo0ffyShmo0ffer · 19/01/2012 20:25

Yanbu.

I hated it as a child. At the labour club Christmas Party I was always last called to see Father Christmas and get my present

Hulababy · 19/01/2012 20:26

My maiden name began with a V so I was always right near the end, every time.

When I am working in schools I alternate where I start, sometimes beginning, sometimes middle and sometimes the end.

Unlurked · 19/01/2012 20:30

Yanbu. As of August I'll be promoted from M to A. Very exciting times!

pinkappleby · 19/01/2012 20:30

My DH warned my about this before I took his name (at the end) and seriously suggested taking mine instead. I thought he was sill but now see his point!

TurkeyBurgerThing · 19/01/2012 20:31

I've moved up 5 places now. Still near the end.

EduStudent · 19/01/2012 20:34

But we're first for all the crap things too!

Kayano · 19/01/2012 20:35

Maiden name was HO...
Married name is HO... But a bit shorter

My signature remained identical lol
was very handy

tinkertitonk · 19/01/2012 20:35

Peter Medawar has a bit about this in Advice to a Young Scientist, along the lines of "You must take the broad view; the misfortune of the Zygmunds of this world is counter-balanced by the good luck of the Aaronsons".

HTH.

ivykaty44 · 19/01/2012 20:37

change your surname by deed poll - then you will find out if your name starting with A is far better or not much difference - then in 10 year time you can use deed poll to change back again

i have met a couple who changed their surname by deed poll as they hated the name and so choice another

Abcinthia · 19/01/2012 20:44

My surname is near the beginning of the alphabet and it actually used to annoy me when I had to go first for things like oral French exams. The people whose surnames were at the end always had more revision time/time to prepare, while the teacher slowly made their way through the alphabet, and I was really jealous.

Fromheaven · 19/01/2012 20:46

Always the last to be called, always at the back of every queue, I hated that dinner queue so much!

LadyBeagleEyes · 19/01/2012 20:49

Well I disagree with all of you.
My surname was A at school and we (i'm a twin) always had to do everything first, I hated it.
Mid alphabet is the place to be.

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