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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-10-2016, 09:08 PM
I don't know if this should go in the Travel thread. But do any of you guys use a Nickname or Americanized first name in your daily lives or when talking to girls?
I know almost every chinese student that comes to America will choose an American first name instead of using their Chinese name because it is too difficult for most Americans to pronounce. Also, perhaps when they take English classes, their teachers tell them to pick an American name and they just use it in their professional lives when they move to America.
I know a couple of Chinese guys that go by American first names even though their legal name is something in Chinese, and I think that might be one of the reasons they do really well with American women. Maybe they seem more Westernized because they have an American first name.
What do people think? Should foreign guys use easier to remember and pronounce American names? When you travel to other countries, do you change your name to something easier for girls to pronounce?
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-10-2016, 09:21 PM
If you change your name to fit in - no
If you change your name because you're tired of hearing people mangle it - yes.
But If you tell someone your name, and they want to nickname you - correct them - and take back the frame.
Tchaikovsky
Ovechkin
Nikolaj (dude from Game of Thrones)
Ralph Fiennes - rayf finz not Ralph Fines
Famke Janssen
If a mf'er can pronounce D'Artagnan (from the 3 musketeers) they can pronounce D'Quavious.
Getting people to get your name right is an important battle.
WIA
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-10-2016, 09:51 PM
Well, I think a lot of chinese people just change their name or use the name they use in English class. I suppose it's also to be done to try to fit in more, and perhaps try to make it easier for finding a job and sounding more proficient in english-speaking.
There is a stigma of being a fresh-off-the-boat immigrant who doesn't know english, that I think many people want to avoid.
In America, many students pick Spanish names in spanish class.
I also saw some studies that showed that people with American-ized names were hired easier than someone with a weird foreign name. I think Chris Rock and Keegan and Peele have jokes about weird first names.
And I also wondered if American girls stigmatize guys with Fobby names, and make quick judgements if they can't pronounce the name. Might be an obstacle, or it might be a good talking point for the world traveler girls.
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-10-2016, 09:58 PM
Depends on where your name is from.
Sorry, but if your name is Tsao Tsao then most americans won't be able to say that shit. Also, it sounds funny as hell and, if you aren't careful, you'll get trolled for it.
Any sort of tonal name is gonna be hard for westerners and they WILL butcher it. Like WIA said, if people can't say it, then beat them to the punch and use a nickname, but don't use a nickname because you wanna fit in.
I will be checking my PMs weekly, so you can catch me there. I will not be posting.
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-11-2016, 12:43 AM
It depends - in Thailand, everyone has a nickname and uses it instead of their real first name - so I don't mind people giving me nicknames.
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-11-2016, 08:45 AM
Years ago I did a class with a guy just arrived from China named "Bin". He politely pointed out that he didn't want to be called Bin, as in english it's "like this one" (pointing to garbage can)
"Just call me Ben" He said
But oh, no, not our culturally enlightened feminists and faggy SJW hipsters, they have to continue calling him "Bin" despite his protests, because it makes them feel all culturally enlightened and special. Despite the fact they're pronouncing it all wrong and he knows that as english speakers they're basically calling him "trashcan"
Me and the other people with cocks and balls called him "Ben" or "Benny", which he liked.
Mind you it's a bit of an Australian tradition for men to end up with nicknames they hate. I know blokes who have nicknames for life that completely replaced their real names (apart from on official documents etc) simply because they hated them.
Quote: (01-19-2016 11:26 PM)ordinaryleastsquared Wrote:
I stand by my analysis.
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-11-2016, 09:27 AM
Yes in pick up you always need a nickname like "Mysterious" or "Gladiator". It really sets you apart. Also wear a big hat and a feather boa. Then girls remember your name better.
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-11-2016, 04:58 PM
Agree with west indie Archie. Be comfortable with your name as it is your identity. Change only if it sounds weird in the country you are visiting or staying. I have a quite complicated Indian name. So I only use the first syllable when I introduce myself to a girl I cold approach. I also make sure I pronounce it slowly and spell it for them.
I will also ask my name again and see if they remember. If they do remember.i will say not bad, good memory or plus two points. If they get it wrong I would say , I hate you or I dont like you anymore. It's kinda like a qualifying test if I am not wrong and it works quite well. So if you have a complicated name, you can use it to your advantage.
PS: if you are Indian and have name such as
Sukdeep : pronounced as suck deep by certain people
Ramedeep: pretty obvious, ram her deep
Then its better to have a shorter name.
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-11-2016, 06:35 PM
Don't change your name, regardless of which country you are in. Your name is part of your identity.
I have a Hmong buddy who was born and raised in the US and his name is impossible to pronounce. He's like 5'6" but gets laid like a boss (especially white girls) because he doesn't give a fuck. He tells people how to say his name and corrects anyone who fucks it up. His name is spelled nothing like how it sounds.
It's all about frame.
My last name is short but easy to mispronounce. I don't care if I'm at a bar, conference, job interview, etc. I always correct people who pronounce it wrong.
Own your name and teach people how to say it.
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-11-2016, 07:51 PM
Quote: (09-11-2016 06:35 PM)wi30 Wrote:
Don't change your name, regardless of which country you are in. Your name is part of your identity.
I don't know... I met a Vietnamese guy in Alabama whose name was Phuc Nguyen (pronounced "Fuck When").
It sounded like a question. Like "Fuck When? Oh, you fuck right NOW!"
If my name meant fuck in another country, I'd change that shit.
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-11-2016, 08:46 PM
I once went to work at a site and was told the guys who I'd be working with were Bob and Gary, I was a bit perplexed when I showed up and the two guys were middle aged Chinese guys who spoke broken Engrish, they obviously had new Canadian names. Myself on the other hand have a fairly common English name that everyone is familiar with but it very uncommon and unknown in Colombia so I just use my middle name, which just so happens to be the name of Colombia's most popular soccer player, so it makes it easier for everyone.
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Should Foreign Guys use a Nickname or American first name?
09-11-2016, 08:55 PM
You guys should hear the jokes that people in Latin America have for Putin.
Pinche Putín.
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