Does It Feel Weird to Be Called by Your FlyerTalk Name in Person?
#1
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,988
Does It Feel Weird to Be Called by Your FlyerTalk Name in Person?
Whenever I post on FlyerTalk, I prefer to keep my given name private and be addressed as Canarsie — although FlyerTalk members refer to me by a slew of other choice and less-than-flattering names in The Delta Forum Lounge Thread — Everybody is Welcome! thread, but I won’t get into specifics here as that is wa-a-a-a-ay off topic...
However, whenever I meet FlyerTalk members in person — and I have done so for greater than two years now — I do not usually respond to the name Canarsie, as I am not used to hearing people call me that. This is especially true when the pronunciation of Canarsie is mangled: “Hey, Canarise!” or “Good to meet you, Carnarsie!”
Instead, I insist that I please be addressed by my given first name, as I believe should be done once people meet in person. Sometimes I have to remind people several times to please do so.
None of this bothers me in any respect. I simply have still not gotten used to being called Canarsie in person.
What are your thoughts and experiences on this topic?
By the way, I would not be surprised to find “I never seem to encounter that problem” posted by FlyerTalk members whose names are the same or similar on both FlyerTalk and in person...
However, whenever I meet FlyerTalk members in person — and I have done so for greater than two years now — I do not usually respond to the name Canarsie, as I am not used to hearing people call me that. This is especially true when the pronunciation of Canarsie is mangled: “Hey, Canarise!” or “Good to meet you, Carnarsie!”
Instead, I insist that I please be addressed by my given first name, as I believe should be done once people meet in person. Sometimes I have to remind people several times to please do so.
None of this bothers me in any respect. I simply have still not gotten used to being called Canarsie in person.
What are your thoughts and experiences on this topic?
By the way, I would not be surprised to find “I never seem to encounter that problem” posted by FlyerTalk members whose names are the same or similar on both FlyerTalk and in person...
#2
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL: 3.8 MM, Marriott: Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 24,575
I don't mind being called Cholula in person as that is my real name.
Charlie Cholula to be exact.
Seriously, I actually don't mind being called by my handle as that's what 99% of FT'ers know me as. I found it surreal at my first DO to be surrounded by FT'ers I knew as Canarsie, paradocs, socrates, Ms. Everywhere, etc. and see names of Jim, Bob, Mary and Dick being used to address each other. It just seemed weird for some reason.
Charlie Cholula to be exact.
Seriously, I actually don't mind being called by my handle as that's what 99% of FT'ers know me as. I found it surreal at my first DO to be surrounded by FT'ers I knew as Canarsie, paradocs, socrates, Ms. Everywhere, etc. and see names of Jim, Bob, Mary and Dick being used to address each other. It just seemed weird for some reason.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: He who dies with the most miles wins!!
Programs: WorldPerks Demoted again to SE, DL 3.1MM Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 11,674
Originally Posted by Cholula
I don't mind being called Cholula in person as that is my real name.
Charlie Cholula to be exact.
.
Charlie Cholula to be exact.
.
My problem is that, with few exceptions, I can never remember real names. Even people I have met at 4 DOs....I am so used to FT handles. (I know, I am a salesman and should remember)
Since my name is Mike, it dosent bother me for meople to use my FT handle.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: NH
Posts: 5,720
And the reverse is true. I met a few people at the only "do" I've been to. Now I think of them by their first names, and some of them don't resemble their handles. Sometimes I have to remind myself... is this so and so?
Rita
Rita
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
Doesn't bother me in the slightest -- my initials are AJ, and that is my name I commonly use as well.
I also respond to a variety of names, including my (much more common) online handle, and with some friends in person the names will be used interchangably, and we have some friends with duplicate names so people will usually just have one name dropped. E.g. my friend Beau is always called Oddy, because of another friend called Bo... I don't think it's much different from the usual nicknames people get given.
I also respond to a variety of names, including my (much more common) online handle, and with some friends in person the names will be used interchangably, and we have some friends with duplicate names so people will usually just have one name dropped. E.g. my friend Beau is always called Oddy, because of another friend called Bo... I don't think it's much different from the usual nicknames people get given.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
No, I'm used to being addressed that way often, and in person people just tend to drop the "Mpls".
On the other hand, I sometimes feel really awkward addressing other FT'ers by their handles, e.g. at ELP it didn't bug me to address you as Canarsie (because I sort of "knew" you) but I felt really out-of-place addressing a 60-ish couple in-person as Hunki and Punki.
I think it depends on ones familiarity with the people involved, both on-line & off, and on how close the FT handles are to being appropriate as real names.
On the other hand, I sometimes feel really awkward addressing other FT'ers by their handles, e.g. at ELP it didn't bug me to address you as Canarsie (because I sort of "knew" you) but I felt really out-of-place addressing a 60-ish couple in-person as Hunki and Punki.
I think it depends on ones familiarity with the people involved, both on-line & off, and on how close the FT handles are to being appropriate as real names.
Last edited by MikeMpls; Aug 20, 2006 at 8:40 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: An island in the Pacific
Posts: 2,651
Originally Posted by MikeMpls
but I felt really out-of-place addressing a 60-ish couple in-person as Hunki and Punki.
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: The shape-shifting urban sprawl that is El Lay. FT member #71.
Programs: UA Gold & MM; DL & AA credit card dirt status; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Fool's Gold
Posts: 4,679
My preference is to call FT'ers their real name. And I've probably met over 150 FT'ers during the years.
The only person I can think of that I have probably half the time addressed by their FT Handle, is "Catman".
The only person I can think of that I have probably half the time addressed by their FT Handle, is "Catman".
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
The first time I met people in person from Flyertalk, I thought it was the strangest thing to introduce yourself with your handle and name, never thinking when I registered for FT that I'd meet anyone in person (little did I know) and have to use the handle in that way. While not many people call me by my handle after the first hello, I would likely respond at this point having gotten used to being referred to via the handle.
I've had the honor of meeting a lot of FT'ers over the past couple of years. For those I've gotten to know, I have the name and handle down and can go back and forth (except Missy, I know her name but Missy just fits her so well, I'm not switching over). There are other people I've met where I just didn't have enough time to register both their name and handle or met them only once in a crowd, so (hopefully) have a name for them - either handle or real name. In the former case, I've used the handle and they've responded okay.
I've had the honor of meeting a lot of FT'ers over the past couple of years. For those I've gotten to know, I have the name and handle down and can go back and forth (except Missy, I know her name but Missy just fits her so well, I'm not switching over). There are other people I've met where I just didn't have enough time to register both their name and handle or met them only once in a crowd, so (hopefully) have a name for them - either handle or real name. In the former case, I've used the handle and they've responded okay.
#13
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,866
well my f/t handle is easy (http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery...Gallery/goalie) but it does feel weird when someone uses it vs my real name (which btw, is david and i'll answer to that or dave but never davey as it became a hazzard growing up when the monkees were on tv and being teased-curse you davey jones..... ).
#14
In memoriam
Join Date: May 2005
Location: DAL
Programs: SWA A list preferred and CP, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Hertz President's club
Posts: 9,803
Dear Cantalope *snicker*, you are way too tense on this topic (as we discussed when I met you and Mrs. Cantalier and Jr. Canarooster for dinner!!! *smile*)
Always, Lehava (and see mine doesnt bother me because it is my hebrew name so I am used to hearing it spoken)
Always, Lehava (and see mine doesnt bother me because it is my hebrew name so I am used to hearing it spoken)
Originally Posted by Canarsie
Whenever I post on FlyerTalk, I prefer to keep my given name private and be addressed as Canarsie — although FlyerTalk members refer to me by a slew of other choice and less-than-flattering names in The Delta Forum Lounge Thread — Everybody is Welcome! thread, but I won’t get into specifics here as that is wa-a-a-a-ay off topic...
However, whenever I meet FlyerTalk members in person — and I have done so for greater than two years now — I do not usually respond to the name Canarsie, as I am not used to hearing people call me that. This is especially true when the pronunciation of Canarsie is mangled: “Hey, Canarise!” or “Good to meet you, Carnarsie!”
Instead, I insist that I please be addressed by my given first name, as I believe should be done once people meet in person. Sometimes I have to remind people several times to please do so.
None of this bothers me in any respect. I simply have still not gotten used to being called Canarsie in person.
What are your thoughts and experiences on this topic?
By the way, I would not be surprised to find “I never seem to encounter that problem” posted by FlyerTalk members whose names are the same or similar on both FlyerTalk and in person...
However, whenever I meet FlyerTalk members in person — and I have done so for greater than two years now — I do not usually respond to the name Canarsie, as I am not used to hearing people call me that. This is especially true when the pronunciation of Canarsie is mangled: “Hey, Canarise!” or “Good to meet you, Carnarsie!”
Instead, I insist that I please be addressed by my given first name, as I believe should be done once people meet in person. Sometimes I have to remind people several times to please do so.
None of this bothers me in any respect. I simply have still not gotten used to being called Canarsie in person.
What are your thoughts and experiences on this topic?
By the way, I would not be surprised to find “I never seem to encounter that problem” posted by FlyerTalk members whose names are the same or similar on both FlyerTalk and in person...
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,053
Originally Posted by Canarsie
None of this bothers me in any respect. I simply have still not gotten used to being called Canarsie in person.
Since mine is an easy one, everyone calls me Dan. But you doesn't have to call me Johnson. http://www.jumptheshark.com/r/reddfoxx.htm
Reading your name fellow (OP) Brooklynite, sort of keeps me in line.
For those of you not cool enough to know, Canarsie is a neighborhood in Brooklyn.