[Opinions] Re: Christopher
in reply to a message by Mareasi
I love Christopher. I think it's adorable
I don't get why people always think nicknames are unavoidable. I've known tons of people that went by their full names, even if they are long, it just depends on the peson.
I don't get why people always think nicknames are unavoidable. I've known tons of people that went by their full names, even if they are long, it just depends on the peson.
Replies
Really? I have never known a person who has a name that easily lends itself to a nickname who doesn't use the nickname. I've known two Benjamins, both called Ben, multiple Christophers who were all called Chris, two Rebeccas who were both Becky, Alexandras who were always called Alex, my sister Patricia is always called Patty, my sister Pamela is always called Pam, every single Joshua I've known has been called Josh and never Joshua, every single William, and there have been a lot I've known, was Bill, with the exception of my son, who is called Will. Never known a Richard who wasn't Rick. And my experience has been that these people get pissed off when you call them by their full names. It's a habit I have of occasionally calling a person by his or her full name, and when I do, invariably I hear, "Don't call me that", to the point that I've tried to break myself of the habit. Then there are people whose full names are no longer than two syllables and don't really need a nickname, so they don't have one, but I'm speaking of longer names that have common nicknames.
I did know a girl in high school who was named Cynthia and wanted to be called Cynthia, but I also recall that she had to constantly correct people who automatically called her Cindy. The other two Cynthias I've known, one a good friend, were always called Cindy.
Guess that's why I tend to be in the "nicknames are unavoidable" camp.
I did know a girl in high school who was named Cynthia and wanted to be called Cynthia, but I also recall that she had to constantly correct people who automatically called her Cindy. The other two Cynthias I've known, one a good friend, were always called Cindy.
Guess that's why I tend to be in the "nicknames are unavoidable" camp.
I was told that gay men always go by their full names (a gay man told me this). I have found this to frequently be the case...
Michael instead of Mike
Gregory
Christopher
Etc
Michael instead of Mike
Gregory
Christopher
Etc
It probably depends on the person and how much they insist on going by their full name or not. I have a cousin named Christopher that usually only goes by Chris around friends. To our family he's always been Christopher, mainly to distinguish him from his mother's cousin, Kris, for whom he's named after. He usually introduces himself as Christopher and people naturally shorten it, he just goes with it though.
I've also known a Matthew, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Kaitlin, Kathryn, Christine, Christina, Angela (2), Madeline (she's around 12 now, refuses to be called Maddie, I'm so happy about that!), Victoria, and Anneliese (so glad she goes by her full name, it's gorgeous). But those are few and far between, the majority of Matthews I know are Matt, Benjamins are Ben, Kaitlins and Kathryns are Katies, Angelas are Angie, and so on and so on.
I've also known a Matthew, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Kaitlin, Kathryn, Christine, Christina, Angela (2), Madeline (she's around 12 now, refuses to be called Maddie, I'm so happy about that!), Victoria, and Anneliese (so glad she goes by her full name, it's gorgeous). But those are few and far between, the majority of Matthews I know are Matt, Benjamins are Ben, Kaitlins and Kathryns are Katies, Angelas are Angie, and so on and so on.
My friend Richard wont let me call him Rich or Rick, it's really annoying.
Yeah I think it's different in different areas. I know a lot of people who get really bratty about nicknames. My friend Chris was Christopher until he was like 18 and got really mad when it was shortened. I know tons of Williams, and if their names get shortened they get shortened to Will. I know multiple Jacobs that aren't Jake, and most of the Rebeccas I know don't have permanent nicknames. My friend is Alexandra as often or more than she's Alex. The former dean of my school was uptight about being called Cindy instead of Cynthia. My friend is actually dating a kid who goes by Matthew and not Matt. In my experience, more people refuse to go by nicknames than embrace it, except in a few really standard ones, and even then it's not so uncommon.
I hate when people are uptight about this kind of thing, either way.
Yeah I think it's different in different areas. I know a lot of people who get really bratty about nicknames. My friend Chris was Christopher until he was like 18 and got really mad when it was shortened. I know tons of Williams, and if their names get shortened they get shortened to Will. I know multiple Jacobs that aren't Jake, and most of the Rebeccas I know don't have permanent nicknames. My friend is Alexandra as often or more than she's Alex. The former dean of my school was uptight about being called Cindy instead of Cynthia. My friend is actually dating a kid who goes by Matthew and not Matt. In my experience, more people refuse to go by nicknames than embrace it, except in a few really standard ones, and even then it's not so uncommon.
I hate when people are uptight about this kind of thing, either way.
I think Kukla's in Greece.
I believe that in most European countries long names aren't necessarily shortened as they seem to be in the US. In Croatia, you are called by the name you introduce yourself by, however long or short it might be (it's considered rude to shorten someones name without them suggesting it first -like saying: Hi, I'm Nikolina, but call me Niki).
I believe that in most European countries long names aren't necessarily shortened as they seem to be in the US. In Croatia, you are called by the name you introduce yourself by, however long or short it might be (it's considered rude to shorten someones name without them suggesting it first -like saying: Hi, I'm Nikolina, but call me Niki).
This message was edited 3/5/2011, 12:46 PM
Yes, I wondered if geographical location might have something to do with it.
When someone introduces themselves to me as Alexander or Benjamin I wouldn't call them Alex or Ben, I'd call them by the name they introduced themselves as. And I have known Christophers, Alexanders, Nicholas', Rebeccas, Williams, Nathans, Victorias, Elizabeths, Jacobs, Mathews and a Cynthia that only went by their full names.
of course usually most would do go by the obvious nicknames, what I'm saying is that not all of them automatically get called that by everyone if that's what they (or their parents) want.
btw did I come off as angry about that nickname thing, because I wasn't and didn't mean to...
of course usually most would do go by the obvious nicknames, what I'm saying is that not all of them automatically get called that by everyone if that's what they (or their parents) want.
btw did I come off as angry about that nickname thing, because I wasn't and didn't mean to...
This message was edited 3/5/2011, 12:40 PM
No, you didn't come off as angry at all. I just decided to relate my own personal experience. Oh, you bringing up Matthew reminds me that I've never known a Matthew who wasn't called Matt! I don't know if it's sheer coincidence or where I live or what, but I just haven't known many people who go by full names. You bringing up Elizabeth reminds me that I have known one Elizabeth who was called Elizabeth, though.
I know several Elizabeths who refuse to be shortened.
I think it happens a lot when there are a lot of people with the same name in one group or class that they need to go by their full names. though I have known plenty that just went by their full names. I'm just saying it's possible(:
Is it bad that I just now figured out that Cindy is short for Cynthia? :P
My mom used to have a friend named Cynthia who was always called Cynthia, and the only Cindy I know has it as a full name, so I never made the connection until now. *unobservant*
My mom used to have a friend named Cynthia who was always called Cynthia, and the only Cindy I know has it as a full name, so I never made the connection until now. *unobservant*
I've known a few Cynthias, none of whom has been anything but Cynthia; and the only Cindys I've known have both been Lucinda on official documents. They claimed that Lucy didn't suit them.