I had an entirely different post half-written, but after going to the dentist yesterday I feel the need to write about something that happens to me a lot and always induces a wave of eye-twitching fury.
First of all, I had a new hygienist clean my teeth. This was bad in and of itself because it combined two things I despise: change and meeting new people. And then she got off to the absolute worst start possible.
“Thomas? Is Thomas here?”
At which point the receptionist helpfully supplied that her patient was in fact named Bailey and Thomas was the last name. She could have apologized, or acted at least a little embarrassed. But no.
“Oh, I just glanced at the name. I was expecting a guy. I bet that happens to you all the time.”
And yes, it does happen all the time. But that does not, in fact, make it any less irritating.
Now let me clarify for a second: the fact of the mistake is not what bothers me so much. I am quite aware that I was bestowed with two last names (or two first names depending upon your viewpoint), and that this can get a little confusing for people.
My problem is that usually when I get called by my last name instead of my first it happens when someone is reading it in last/first form, like on a role sheet at school. And that is the crux of my annoyance. Because it means they actually had to make an effort to get my name wrong.
Not following what I mean? Think about it. They are reading down a list of names such as:
Simon, Jessica
Taylor, Anna
Thomas, Bailey
So they say aloud “Jessica Simon, Anna Taylor, Thomas Bailey.” Do you see the problem? They had no trouble following the last/first pattern, but when they got to my name some demonic part of their brain decided to complete disregard that pattern just to piss me off.
Ok, maybe I’m being a little harsh. Being called Thomas is at least not as bad as the second most common reaction to my name.
“Bailey? I knew a dog named Bailey!”
Thank you for sharing. And now I shall destroy you.
Does this dog have a people name or do I have a dog name?
Unfortunately I think I know the answer.
