Y'all betta recognize!

Let's meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?








I feel as if I have been introducing myself by a new name for the last three or four months. I started a new job back in August, and, for some reason, more than one of my clients has mistakenly called me by my last name, Viola.

This phenomenon is not occurring because I've wanted it to. I always introduce myself clearly as EMILY Viola. I end my e-mails with EMILY Viola, Independent Living Coach. I leave messages stating, "Hi, this is EMILY Viola". Yet, in several face to face meetings, e-mails, and phone calls people have responded with, "Hi, Viola".

This irks me for several reasons. First of all, how much sense would it make for my name to be switched around? "Emily" is generally not a last name. Secondly, how am I being misunderstood so many times to be introducing myself as "Viola"? Especially in an e-mail where it can be clearly read as being a last name?

And finally, this irks simply because my first name is Emily, and I am proud of it. Emily means "industrious" and industrious I am. I work hard and I am successful. I am not a flower, or an instrument, or a character from a children's novel. In a profession where I am regularly under appreciated, I want to at least be recognized for who I REALLY am.

Therefore, if I had a chance to introduce myself by a different name I wouldn't give out anything new. I would simply say, "My name is Emily. Get it right."