Are you a Liza or a Lisa?
I received a document sent to me a few minutes ago that has my name peppered through it (minutes of a meeting, action items listed). I’ve been involved with this group for quite a while. I don’t think I have a difficult name to spell … V-i-c-k- … y! not i, not ie, not ey, not ki.
So now I’m reflecting on the blood boiling inside of me and telling myself that I’m being totally out of line. “Don’t make such a deal about this Vic!”, is what my cool, go-with-the-flow side says. But my inner, closer-to-the-heart Vic is pissed.
Such a little thing. Really, who cares, right? I try to shrug it off, I’ve stopped making corrections about it. When the conversation comes around to it, I stress that, because my name is in my email address AND in my website URL, it’s sort of important to have it spelled correctly. After all, the person misspelling may have my correct email in their contact list, but a reader may not have a clue. And then wonder why I’ve ignored the past emails sent to vicki@… And especially when this is not an isolated case, but the person seems incapable of remembering my preference.
That’s a totally logical and rational reason to object to the incorrect spelling.
And it’s total BS.
I had to take some time to look inside and wipe away the wispy layers of politically correct and polite reasons I thought having my name spelled correctly. What’s my problem anyway? And then I saw it, the ugly little critter buried deep inside all wrapped around so many other little critters – insecurity, feeling disrespected, not feeling heard, and maybe not feeling even liked.
“I think I understand what military fame is; to be killed on the field of battle and have your name misspelled in the newspapers.”
When we like someone we usually try hard not to offend them. Our name represents us. Our identity is wrapped up with it.
Whether we were gifted our name at birth, or it’s chosen by us, it’s one of the most personal items that’s also one of the most public. It’s us, it’s ours, and when I see it misspelled it’s not me any longer.
And if you’re a business owner, be aware that you may be unintentionally offending your clients. They’re paying you to provide a service, and yes, you do a great job on that. And then you send them the email with their invoice attached., to Hi Lisa (when the cup obviously says Liza!). Remember that the last feeling people have interacting with you is the lasting one.
So, I hope this helps to explain why some folks may turn a bit pink when they read your email or notes … it only takes a second to double-check that your default setting to typing their name hasn’t over-written the way they actually prefer it.
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