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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I put my foot in my mouth with a poor child (lighthearted)

91 replies

Booboostwo · 01/04/2016 14:54

I was at an English speaking Easter egg hunt (I live in France, the party was specifically set up to encourage kids to speak English - this is relevant). I was introduced to three kids from the same family and since I was meeting them for the first time I said "Hello, my name is Booboos, what is your name?" The first two children told me their names all fine, the third one told me a number. In the context I assumed she had misunderstood the question so I said "No, not how old you are but what is your name?", but she repeated the number. I kept going and switched to French to help him out at which point his mum intervened and clarified that the child had understood me the first time and the number was his name.

I don't know if I should tell you the number as it might make the child more identifiable but there is nothing about this number that in any way resembles a name or is used as a name in a different culture. I didn't have the guts to ask why he had been called after a number.

Judgey? Moi? Well yes but only in a lighthearted sort of way.

OP posts:
scarednoob · 01/04/2016 17:00

Roald Dahl's daughter - the one who tragically died of measles - was Olivia Twenty Dahl.

mmgirish · 01/04/2016 17:15

I taught a child who had a number as a name. Her little brother was also called that number too but in a different language...

Booboostwo · 02/04/2016 07:45

Turns out I really put my foot in it talking about numbers...she is a Sixtine! Next time I don't understand I will default to smiling and saying "How lovely!"

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 02/04/2016 07:50

Op you are a narna!

Booboostwo · 02/04/2016 09:58

I had to google 'narna'! I give up!

OP posts:
IdaJones · 02/04/2016 10:27

As Sixtine is a normal French name that's less embarrassing for you as it was just you being English and misunderstanding rather than you making a big hoo ha about someone's silly name.

SurelyYoureJokingMrFeynman · 02/04/2016 10:33

People used to ask if my dad was called Twee, because his elder brother was Ian.

[joke, Dutch-speakers for the use of]

dizzytomato · 02/04/2016 10:50
Grin

Thanks for the giggle OP.

ElderlyKoreanLady · 02/04/2016 10:56

I'd quite like to be called Four. Or maybe Twelve. Not all numbers are equal in terms of names though. Eight would be a bit rubbish.

Booboostwo · 02/04/2016 11:08

I'm Greek...and beginning to lose the plot with three languages on the go! I also tend to put my foot in it quite often, I try too hard with kids, freak out about speaking French and then it all implodes.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 02/04/2016 11:14

Oh op then you are definitely excused for being a narna then Thanks

Surely I am utterly thrilled that I understood a Dutch joke

Lighteningirll · 02/04/2016 13:34

Just pitching in to say thank you for an informative and very amusing thread Flowers

BillSykesDog · 02/04/2016 13:40

I have know a French Sixtine, yes that is pronounced exactly as 'Sixteen'. It translates in English to Sistine as in 'Sistine Chapel'. It's a relatively common name in France

BillSykesDog · 02/04/2016 13:42

fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapelle_Sixtine

Throwingshadeagain · 02/04/2016 13:49

Was just coming on to say 'Sixtine is a French name you wally' but see you have updated! Oh well OP you have given us all a laugh and you didn't mean any malice Grin Thanks

Booboostwo · 02/04/2016 14:16

I think I am now obliged to have DC3 and name her Sixtine! Off to break the good news to DH!

OP posts:
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