Being called "Debs"

[ValerieCupcake]

We have had a new director appointed. She is I assume named Deborah, but calls herself Debs.

AIBU to feel I would be taken less seriously by using this as my name in a high level professional role? I think it is too "Twee And Cutesy"!

@LadyMacduff

Every single one of the two Deborahs I know goes by Debs.

😂

My aunt is called Betty, I always assumed it was short for Elizabeth, it’s not, it’s Betty, and Betty would far rather have been called Elizabeth.

My nephew is called Alfie, not Alfred as many assume Alfie was shortened from.

She may be Debs.

Says someone with the most 'twee and cutesy' user name out there.

She's director so it's obviously not held her back 🙄

🤣🤣🤣🤣 wow. Are you 12 ? You sound well jel

@VoleThenFerret

She's managed to get to the position where she tells you what to do despite her unsatisfactory name. Not so shabby really.

Quite! 😂😂

I have a fairly formal first name similar to Elizabeth and Iike having the option of having it long version or shortened version. I was in a professional capacity a few years ago and in court situations for my job I liked the long name but hate it in everyday use with colleagues and kids I was working with I was always the shortened version - sounds less posh and pompous imo at work.

I'm called Debbie and I tell that to people but they always end up calling me Deb and that never bother me! Don't think that make any difference

YANBU I agree with you, I think it is silly in a formal setting. I can understand it being used among friends or family, in a "pass me the salt Debs"/"what time is your soap on Debs" way.

Never bothered me. My best friend likes to be known as Debs. She's a very professional Accountant.

Christ sake. Get a life.

How absolutely ridiculous. She can call herself whatever she likes!
It's clearly not held her back and I'm afraid it says more about you than her.

I wonder if you have the same issue with men shortening their names in a professional setting?
How about Matt, Andy, Bob ......? Are they acceptable?

@Migrainesbythedozen

YANBU I agree with you, I think it is silly in a formal setting. I can understand it being used among friends or family, in a "pass me the salt Debs"/"what time is your soap on Debs" way.

Why is it silly?

@Benes

How absolutely ridiculous. She can call herself whatever she likes! It's clearly not held her back and I'm afraid it says more about you than her.

I wonder if you have the same issue with men shortening their names in a professional setting?
How about Matt, Andy, Bob ......? Are they acceptable?

@Benes Deb would be the shortened version like Matt, Bob. It's the adding the 's' on the end that makes it sound babyish. The equivalent would be a male calling themselves Bobs.

Deb would be the shortened version like Matt, Bob. It's the adding the 's' on the end that makes it sound babyish.
The equivalent would be a male calling themselves Bobs.

And what would that have an impact on anyone's ability to do their job? Why judge?

What about Bobby or Matty.... the 'y' has the same effect as the 's'. Would that be an issue too?

You know women have enough barriers in the workplace without being judged by their name. If you are judging women in this way they you are a huge part of the problem.

It's a bit too informal for my liking but it hasn't held her back. If she's happy why shouldn't you be ?

Her name was Deborah (Deborah)
It never suited her.

Nothing wrong with a Debs.

The last company I worked for , the financial director was called Harpreet. She introduced herself by her full name, but said ‘everyone calls me Harps’ She was so down to earth and friendly, and it suited her!

She doesn’t have a problem calling herself Debs, but is probably used to people trying to rain on her parade…

OP what names are acceptable?

I can’t hear the name Deborah without singing the Pulp song. Maybe that’s why she prefers Debs. Or it could be a million other reasons, that’s her business really.
I happen to know a Debs who is a partner at a law firm. Can’t say it ever occurred to me that her name should preclude her from the role?

It matters none, you can call yourself what you like, people get used to a name anyway., I shorten my name to the first three letters of it.

@PoxyAndIKnowIt

Well, she’s just been appointed as a director, so it’s not held your Debs back, has it?

She can call herself what she likes. You sound jealous, frankly.

This!!! Hope Debs is living her best life being director!!!

God women can’t win can they, either too uptight or too unprofessional.

The most senior woman at my workplace is called Debs. She's incredibly professional and frankly a very inspirational person as she's incredibly competent, she's one of the very few people at work who manages to balance her work and life whilst still being successful. On top of that she's personable, assertive and basically everything I would want to be as a senior professional woman. I've never considered her name to be twee or cutesy!

@PoxyAndIKnowIt

Well, she’s just been appointed as a director, so it’s not held your Debs back, has it?

She can call herself what she likes. You sound jealous, frankly.

Please grow up. I am not jealous. That is such a boring old chestnut. Can we not have a debate with being accused of being "jellus"?

And the correct term is actually envious.

Can we not have a debate with being accused of being "jellus"?

Its not really a debate though is it because your entire argument falls down in your own first sentence.