I've done that for years, even when in the USA. Sometimes it makes a great deal of sense.
Arrived in Singapore jet lagged to pieces and couldn't find my driver. Finally when it was down to just one guy standing with a sign I realized that someone had attempted to deal with my very non-Asian last name by trying to make sense out of it by adding about 6 letters.
Even when jet lagged sometimes you have to force your brain to function.