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September 22, 2005
Say My Name, Say My Name
Names are so personal, especially first names. For example, I never consider that I know someone until I know their name (otherwise it's just "that guy who always looks high," or "the woman who tight-rolled her jeans that one time"). There's a local dog park not far from our house where I take Mackenzie the Weimaraner several times a week. We almost always see the same people, and we usually spend about an hour together, but I don't know any of their names. Oddly enough, we all know each other's dog's names, and we know which dog belongs to which person...but that's where the relationship ends. I imagine I'll eventually introduce myself to some of them, but honestly, I'm not looking for a new group of friends, I'm just there for my dog to get some exercise. Besides, with a name like mine they'd probably just end up calling me Michael, or Mike. In reality I've been called far worse, so I guess that's cool.
I think naming hurricanes makes them equally personal. No one would remember which hurricane destroyed their home if the names were an eight-digit string of numbers (like 08292005), but everyone will remember Katrina, just like everyone remembers Andrew, Hugo and the others. It's also easier to get mad at something with an actual name (or to spray paint someone's name across the plywood you're using to cover your windows). If a hurricane destroyed my home I would feel devastated, but being able to call it by a name when I was cursing would make it a little easier. It must be awkward when you and the hurricane share the same name. I'm sure the jokes grow old within a matter of minutes.
A study came out recently that claimed some names are sexier than others. Did it really take a study to figure that out? Let's not pull punches here friends...some names are plainly difficult, while others are simply just more fun to say. For good or bad we form opinions of people based on their name...even before we ever meet them. Sometimes it's because of associations. Maybe you have to interview a candidate for a job-opening and maybe her name is Rhonda. You know that she's well-qualified for the position, but before she ever arrived you already pegged her as a bully because a girl named Rhonda made you eat dirt in the second grade and you've never forgotten it. At the same time, we don't necessarily need an association...just a bias. If anyone's to blame for the guy named Horace who's cutting your hair it's his parent(s), so give the barber a break. If all else fails you can blame the region, which in this case seems appropriate. After all, it's just a name...right?
And I'll hang around, as long as you will let me / and I never minded standin' in the rain / but you don't have to call me darlin', darlin' / you never even called me by my name
| By micah | 3:17 PM