What is the MN etiquette on asking someone if they could change their name as it is too similar to yours ?

[CaptainUnderpants]

is there an etiquette to ask a new poster (or perhaps recent namechanger) to consider changing their name or do you have to lump it and change yours , which I really dont want to do .

I did make a comment on a thread they were on but they dont seem to have picked up on it .

Thanks

[BigBadMummy]

I say that if you dont like it then you should change yours really.

Why should she change hers because you don't like it?

I don't mean that to sound harsh but you can't really ask somebody else to change something you don't like.

Copying is the sincerest form of flattery though

[HugeBaublesWhatDidISayRoy]

who is it? Then we can see if it is too similar.

[CaptainUnderpants]

Its not that I dont like it but it is virtuially the same as mine - i.e the poster is using CaptUnderpants.

Get my drift ?

[CantSleepWontSleep]

How close are we talking, and how long have you each been posting with these names? Are people genuinely mistaking the two of you?
I'd say that that's very relevant to how you should handle it.

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Ah, that is close. CAT them if they are significantly newer than you.

[HugeBaublesWhatDidISayRoy]

oh yes, far far too similar. You would deffo be confused with eachother. Which if a thread gets heated can be a bad thing.

[domesticextremist]

I posted on a thread recently and asked the other domestic if she minded me being similar and she didnt - I would CAT them and ask them to change/explain the situation if you're not happy.

[GleeE4]

while oyu are there can you get all t he " mummy hedgghog" types to change too

[CaptainUnderpants]

I have been using CaptainUnderpants since April 2007 , just checked my nickname history , and was on MN before that aswell.

New user only seems to have posted last couple of days.

[GleeE4]

look CU
stop wussing around
get her behind the bikeshed andkick her

[CaptainUnderpants]

what first day back and school and wot not , at least wait till home time then flour and eggs !

[llareggub]

The new poster may not even stick around. Not everyone gets sucked into true mumsnet addiction.

[CaptainUnderpants]

I have tried to CAT but poster is not accepting CATS.

I am rather attched to my name - so just really wanted to know what the stance was as I know that others have had similar in past.

[CaptainUnderpants]

In which topic - Site Stuff or chat ?

[overmydeadbody]

keep bumping in chat or search her out and post in the threads she's on.

[littleducks]

It is irritating isnt it.
It used to be protocol to ask newbie to namechange, but as the sites has got biogger that seems to be disapearing.

There is a poster called 'littleduck' no s which i did ask politely and hinted at her to change, but they havent...it is confusing and i do get people asking me confused....but im stubborn and have had theis nickname since 2006 so arent changing

[CaptainUnderpants]

Thanks , will post in chat later - poster hasn't posted since about 7am.

If poster is new to MN I dont want to frighten her off and come across heavy handed (I hope I will not)

But if poster is an old hand I'm sure she will understand or tell me to bog off !

[MitchyInge]

I would like a copycat or two

[nancydrewrocks]

Can't see that the comment was passive aggressive. It drew it to her attention without being a bitch about it. Just fine.

Start a thread in chat - obviously can't make her change but if they are new then she may not be aware that you exist (tis possible!)

Anyway her (if indeed she is a she) reaction will be a useful barometer for the rest of us!

[Flamesparrow]

Can I raise my hand whilst we're here and ask Serenitynowakablah to change her name please? Just plain "Serenity" has been around for bloody ages and I sat talking to the longer version the other day not realising it wasn't Serenity. Tis v confusing.