Aloha Clio . . . this post caught my eye cause - hey! With a birth name of Soul Dancer - I'm questioned 99.5% of the time when I introduce myself! LOL

When folks respond to my introduction with “Is that your real name?” (or variations on a theme) — I’ve no doubts they’ve little CLUE about how I then perceive them. Do they wish me to perceive them as someone who doubts who I am from the very get go?

After decades of hearing, “Is that you’re real name?” I’ve polished a response that turns a demeaning question into a teachable moment. After hearing a person question my name I say . . .

I’m so sorry — forgive me. I have a terrible memory. Would you say your name again?

When they say / repeat their name I say,

[their name] is that your real name?

I then watch the look on their face. For the more awake / aware souls they get what I just did and often apologize for questioning my name.

For those clueless on how they risk the chance of offending someone when they doubt them the very first second upon meeting them — my response after questioning their name — is “how does it feel to you when I question you on your name?”

Frankly — I rarely make an effort to remember any name. Names (and name recognition) feed egos. What you do (your actions) speak more to who you are than your words / titles / labels.