Coworker Insists on Misspelling My Name in Emails- WWYD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you always pronounce everybody's name correctly? Do you have an accent?

See here is the thing... I don't mind that most my Asian coworkers can't pronounce my name.

Jennifer.... Jenefu, no Jennifer, Jenefu, no Jennifer

Do you see how obnoxious I would sound if I corrected them all the time, I know they mean nothing by the mispronunciation, but when I hear them complain that others can't pronounce their name, I think REALLY. You have to be kidding me.

You should just make sure you don't live in a glass house before you throw a stone.

First off, this is about spelling, not pronunciation. There are a million ways the coworker could check the spelling before he sends a message out. Lots of words are hard to spell. No excuse.
Secondly, anyone who doesn't take the correction and try to learn how to pronounce someone's name correctly is being incredibly rude. If there's a sound that is hard to make for people who come from a specific background, I can understand, but they still need to make the effort.

[Anonymous]

I really want to know what OP's name is now.

[Anonymous]

Normally I would say just let it go, it's an innocent mistake. But spelling out your name phonetically is not the same as mistaking an I for a Y. I would definitely bring it up directly, in person if possible. You could be diplomatic and assume it's not intentional. Tell them their computer must be autocorrecting your name to the wrong spelling and you would really appreciate if she could fix it because it is confusing and unprofessional to be introduced with such an off spelling. If she responds that she spells it that way on purpose, kindly ask that she learn how to spell your name. You can write it down for her to keep at her desk.

I have a name like Carrie/Keri/Kerry and never usually mind if people get it wrong, but intentionally misspelling your name like that is pretty offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you always pronounce everybody's name correctly? Do you have an accent?

See here is the thing... I don't mind that most my Asian coworkers can't pronounce my name.

Jennifer.... Jenefu, no Jennifer, Jenefu, no Jennifer

Do you see how obnoxious I would sound if I corrected them all the time, I know they mean nothing by the mispronunciation, but when I hear them complain that others can't pronounce their name, I think REALLY. You have to be kidding me.

You should just make sure you don't live in a glass house before you throw a stone.

First off, this is about spelling, not pronunciation. There are a million ways the coworker could check the spelling before he sends a message out. Lots of words are hard to spell. No excuse.
Secondly, anyone who doesn't take the correction and try to learn how to pronounce someone's name correctly is being incredibly rude. If there's a sound that is hard to make for people who come from a specific background, I can understand, but they still need to make the effort.

I disagree, I think people need to get over it.

Haha... check spelling before emails... emails!!! No, I want productivity not perfection.

[Anonymous]

What I did: I made up an acronym for my (easy but uncommon) name. A really obvious acronym. Posted on my monitor.

Close to but not this: Pretend my name is Nancie. And I work to create evaluations for new associations.

NANCIE

New
Associatioins
Need
Clear
Informative
Evaluations

Yeaaaah I still have one coworker who CANNOT get it right. That's bad!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you always pronounce everybody's name correctly? Do you have an accent?

See here is the thing... I don't mind that most my Asian coworkers can't pronounce my name.

Jennifer.... Jenefu, no Jennifer, Jenefu, no Jennifer

Do you see how obnoxious I would sound if I corrected them all the time, I know they mean nothing by the mispronunciation, but when I hear them complain that others can't pronounce their name, I think REALLY. You have to be kidding me.

You should just make sure you don't live in a glass house before you throw a stone.

First off, this is about spelling, not pronunciation. There are a million ways the coworker could check the spelling before he sends a message out. Lots of words are hard to spell. No excuse.
Secondly, anyone who doesn't take the correction and try to learn how to pronounce someone's name correctly is being incredibly rude. If there's a sound that is hard to make for people who come from a specific background, I can understand, but they still need to make the effort.

I disagree, I think people need to get over it.

Haha... check spelling before emails... emails!!! No, I want productivity not perfection.

And how do you think it makes you look to clients that you have employees who can't even get other employees' names right? This person misspelled it in an INTRODUCTION EMAIL. Where OP's name was correctly spelled in the to: line. If you don't think that kind of thing reflects badly on the misspeller AND your operation, I can guarantee you're losing business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you always pronounce everybody's name correctly? Do you have an accent?

See here is the thing... I don't mind that most my Asian coworkers can't pronounce my name.

Jennifer.... Jenefu, no Jennifer, Jenefu, no Jennifer

Do you see how obnoxious I would sound if I corrected them all the time, I know they mean nothing by the mispronunciation, but when I hear them complain that others can't pronounce their name, I think REALLY. You have to be kidding me.

You should just make sure you don't live in a glass house before you throw a stone.

Yes, a Maryland accent. Now, go away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure. Also, correct her with the "reply all" function.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really want to know what OP's name is now.

I would share if it wouldn't completely give me away, but it is African.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, there are people who just can't seem to consistently get names right, no matter what, and they're nice people who mean absolutely no disrespect. I've known and worked for years and years with a few people who spell my name wrong (an ordinary American name with two common spellings). They do it with other names. No amount of trying by any of us can get them to spell our names right. Don't take it personally.

They are likely not detail oriented and not overly smart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Normally I would say just let it go, it's an innocent mistake. But spelling out your name phonetically is not the same as mistaking an I for a Y. I would definitely bring it up directly, in person if possible. You could be diplomatic and assume it's not intentional. Tell them their computer must be autocorrecting your name to the wrong spelling and you would really appreciate if she could fix it because it is confusing and unprofessional to be introduced with such an off spelling. If she responds that she spells it that way on purpose, kindly ask that she learn how to spell your name. You can write it down for her to keep at her desk.

I have a name like Carrie/Keri/Kerry and never usually mind if people get it wrong, but intentionally misspelling your name like that is pretty offensive.

OP here. This is also good, yet non confrontational advice. I will have to choose between yours and the other. It depends on what mood she catches me in next time that she does it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you always pronounce everybody's name correctly? Do you have an accent?

See here is the thing... I don't mind that most my Asian coworkers can't pronounce my name.

Jennifer.... Jenefu, no Jennifer, Jenefu, no Jennifer

Do you see how obnoxious I would sound if I corrected them all the time, I know they mean nothing by the mispronunciation, but when I hear them complain that others can't pronounce their name, I think REALLY. You have to be kidding me.

You should just make sure you don't live in a glass house before you throw a stone.

First off, this is about spelling, not pronunciation. There are a million ways the coworker could check the spelling before he sends a message out. Lots of words are hard to spell. No excuse.
Secondly, anyone who doesn't take the correction and try to learn how to pronounce someone's name correctly is being incredibly rude. If there's a sound that is hard to make for people who come from a specific background, I can understand, but they still need to make the effort.

I disagree, I think people need to get over it.

Haha... check spelling before emails... emails!!! No, I want productivity not perfection.

And how do you think it makes you look to clients that you have employees who can't even get other employees' names right? This person misspelled it in an INTRODUCTION EMAIL. Where OP's name was correctly spelled in the to: line. If you don't think that kind of thing reflects badly on the misspeller AND your operation, I can guarantee you're losing business.

OP here- exactly! I thought it was grossly unprofessional and was a poor reflection on her and our org.

[Anonymous]

If everyone misspells your name, it's time to get a nick name because you will spend too much energy correcting people and missing the point . In today's quick and text message society with abbreviations you want something easy. Actually most people will just use your initial if it's too difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you always pronounce everybody's name correctly? Do you have an accent?

See here is the thing... I don't mind that most my Asian coworkers can't pronounce my name.

Jennifer.... Jenefu, no Jennifer, Jenefu, no Jennifer

Do you see how obnoxious I would sound if I corrected them all the time, I know they mean nothing by the mispronunciation, but when I hear them complain that others can't pronounce their name, I think REALLY. You have to be kidding me.

You should just make sure you don't live in a glass house before you throw a stone.

We'll just call you jen, problem solved and move on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My best friend has been spelling my son's name incorrectly with an ie instead of a y. No bad intentions, just clueless stupidity.

This is me, unfortunately I am the incorrect speller. My 3 friends all names their girls Lily, however they are all spelled differently (Lily, Lilley, and Lilly) and I cannot remememner who is who.
For invitations, or thank you cards, yes I look it up in my address book where I wrote them all out correctly, but for every day texts or quick emails (are both Mason and Lilly coming? For example) I know I screw it up.