My lovely wife's name is Amylin. It is pronounced like "Amy Lynn." To me, it is a lovely name and not that unusual. But it is IMPOSSIBLE for the world at large to spell, pronounce and understand. You usually have to spell it 3 or 4 times before someone gets it.
"Did you say a-m-y-l-y-n?"
" No, I said a-m-y-l-i-n."
"So it's a-m-i-l-i-n-n?"
Sigh.
Today, after shredding the 600 credit card applications we got in the mail, I decided to call 1-800-5-OPT-OUT which is the number that allegedly removes you from the mailing lists that generate those offers based on your credit score. I put in my information no problem and then went to put in Amy's. It is one of those phone lines where you are talking to a robot (at least that is how I picture it) and you just say your information and then it spells it back to you. It asked from Amy's first name and spelling.
ME: Amylin. a-m-y-l-i-n.
Robot: Did you say 'Amy. a-m-y?'
Me: No. Amylin. a-m-y-l-i-n.
Robot: I'm sorry. I didn't get that. Can you repeat that?
Me: Amylin. a-m-y-l-i-n.
Robot: Did you say 'Nasir, n-a-s-i-r?'
WTH? How is the name Nasir recognized (no offense to my readers named Nasir) and Amylin is not? And how does Amylin even sound like Nasir?
I hate robots.
7 comments:
Agreed. The only good side of robots is that they are so much easier to hang up on.
If my name were Nasir I might sometimes go by Amylin. But if my name were Amylin I don't think I would ever go by Nasir.
We have a friend named Matt Brimhall. And one time a telemarketer called and asked for "Matt Bumhole." Really? That's your best guess? BUMhole? If you were completely uncertain of how to say somebody's name, wouldn't you steer clear of anything with the words "bum" or "hole?" I would. But I guess that's why I'm not a telemarketer.
We want to visit!
Kehnn and Kaytee Kreg
Lovely! I once received mail for Rolly Duxton...probably generated from a robot I spoke to over the phone.
Remember, it's only a matter of time before the robots become self-aware, disguise themselves as high school girls, and kill us all. Don't talk to them. It only encourages them.
I guess we are still safe from evil robots posting comments on blogs, because they can't read the funny little letters.
Found your blog on Ken's and thought I'd say hi. You are funny. Enjoyed the Amylin and Nasir post. (My last name is Konchar and once recieved a piece of mail addressed to "Lawn chair", which kinda sounds similar. I wish my last name really WAS Lawnchair, because that would be cool.) Wish we could come visit, because you guys seem nice, but I couldn't figure out where you are. Oh well, bummer. Our zoo is pretty lame, but at least we have a temple too! (Even though it is not one of the prettier ones.) So anyway, Hello from Denver-ish.
For a second I thought I had the wrong blog, and then it hit me. Oh that's right, Petey is not her real name.
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