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In some circumstances, it might be difficult for people to convince others not to use their nick name. The adults I know with childish nick names tend to introduce themselves to recent acquaintances by a more adult form of their name, but they don't bother to correct old friends and family members. I've met adults known as Nicky, Joey, Patty, Katie and Christy to their family and oldest friends but to everyone else they're Nick, Joe, Pat, Katherine and Chris.

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It is probably a lot easier to divorce yourself from your childhood nick name if you leave your home town. There are a few people who dislike their nick name enough to demand that everyone use their full name, but if you spend your whole life being called by a nick name, it might not always register as odd or especially childish.