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AIBU?

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Original poster

That's not my name

43 replies

Butthatsnotmyname · 17/05/2023 08:01

I started a new job a few weeks ago, all going well.

It's a job sharing role and for the first few shifts I was alongside the colleague I'm sharing with, for training.

She was lovely and helpful, but has told everyone my name is Emma. My name isn't Emma.😬

When I introduced myself to a few others with my real name in front of her, she didn't cotton on, she actually said herself she's bad with names! No kidding!

Now most of the staff are calling me Emma, do I just...carry on?!

OP posts:
Testina · 17/05/2023 08:03

Only if you’re passive to the point of actually needing therapy.

Clarinet1 · 17/05/2023 08:03

Maybe call her “Trigger”!

LadyWithLapdog · 17/05/2023 08:04

No, of course not! If they call you Emma you correct them or ask them if there’s another new starter called Emma.

Original poster
Butthatsnotmyname · 17/05/2023 08:06

Clarinet1 · 17/05/2023 08:03

Maybe call her “Trigger”!

😂

OP posts:
Wrongsideofpennines · 17/05/2023 08:08

No, just politely say 'Actually it's not Emma, it's Sally/Jen/Dave'. You're still new so it won't be awkward to correct them. What will be awkward will be when they are still calling you Emma in 6 months time and you look stupid for not correcting them.

Strugglingtodomybest · 17/05/2023 08:09

Just correct them when they call you Emma, every time until they get the message.

Personally, I'd just laugh about it, your colleague will probably be mortified when she realises what she's done, I know I would, and I'm really bad with names too!

Shelby2010 · 17/05/2023 08:14

Surely your work email address will be:
firstnane.surname@

so if you don’t correct them now it will get mighty confusing.

On the other hand, if you’ve always wanted to be an ‘Emma’ now is the perfect opportunity!

Whichnumbers · 17/05/2023 08:14

No, if someone is calling you Emma - say I’m not named Emma my name is whatever your name is, please use my name otherwise it’ll be confusing for me.

daniyaal77 · 17/05/2023 08:17

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

TinySaltLick · 17/05/2023 08:20

I think you should take Emma our for a spin and see how you get on

What other strange and unique personality characteristics does this new Emma have

Original poster
Butthatsnotmyname · 17/05/2023 08:27

TinySaltLick · 17/05/2023 08:20

I think you should take Emma our for a spin and see how you get on

What other strange and unique personality characteristics does this new Emma have

I think maybe she's a bit more exciting than I am, and has a quirky hobby or two. Perhaps she dated a few musicians in her past and has some great stories?

OP posts:
Tratjymp · 17/05/2023 08:29

Emma Chizzitt, the Australian who queries the price of things.

Original poster
Butthatsnotmyname · 17/05/2023 08:31

Shelby2010 · 17/05/2023 08:14

Surely your work email address will be:
firstnane.surname@

so if you don’t correct them now it will get mighty confusing.

On the other hand, if you’ve always wanted to be an ‘Emma’ now is the perfect opportunity!

We don't have email addresses unfortunately!

I have always hated my real name. Maybe Emma can just be my 'work' name?

OP posts:
BoredToTearsAgain · 17/05/2023 08:31

If you like the name Emma, have you considered temporarily adopting it for this job? It's a solid name.

Ten years ago I had a small boss with the same name. She insisted I change my name so avoid "Tall Joan"and "Small Joan" references. So I became "Joanie". I was very cross about it at the time but "Joanie" was a bit hit with my colleagues and were baffled when I told them my real name as they said they said I didn't look like a Joan.

In subsequent jobs, I went back to being plain Joan and really miss Joanie now. She was a character and reminds me of happy times.

So just saying, if you like Emma, you have a perfect and amusing story to back a temporary name change.

nicericey · 17/05/2023 08:32

Why wouldn't you just say "actually it's Keith" or whatever your name is

Fandabedodgy · 17/05/2023 08:36

Correct people.

Of course you don't adopt a new name.

pussycatinfluffyslippers · 17/05/2023 08:37

I'd carry on with Emma. Grin

Sounds a perfect excuse to change the name you don't like (I hate mine too).

PiriPiriChicken · 17/05/2023 08:47

Contact IT and have them update your email address. You are Emma now. Sorry OP.

MuchuseasaChocolateTeapot · 17/05/2023 08:55

I had a customer who always referred to me as Hillary, absolutely nothing like my real name but I grew to love it and just went with it! I didn’t see her often and didn’t have to contact her in writing though!

CaffeinateMeNow · 17/05/2023 09:04

Testina · 17/05/2023 08:03

Only if you’re passive to the point of actually needing therapy.

🤣🤣🤣

Proper lol! Thanks!

Rinkydinkydoodle · 17/05/2023 09:45

I had this in my first job. Big boss decided my name was Maria. I just answered to it, probably because I was passive to the point of actually needing therapy (it’s also nicer than my real name tbf).

SchoolShenanigans · 17/05/2023 09:47

That's funny, I'd just tell her. "Stop calling me Emma haha, it's Sophie". Maybe wear a sticker name tag as a joke one day.

But yes, do correct people. It'll be SO much more awkward if you don't and it comes out later

FarmGirl78 · 17/05/2023 10:45

I have a 'work name' that isn't (quite) my real name. I assumed everyone knew until my boss had to phone IT to get me access to another computer system. She got very irate insisting of course I existed, I'd worked there years, and it was ridiculous they didn't have a record for me. She came over to check how I spelt my name, and only then realised I wasn't actually called that. IT of course had me down under my correct name.