Hi from Scotland

[Grey Heron]

Guy is really nice fellow [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

 

[spikfot]

Hi Arek,

I had an amusing experience at Lowes ( building materials store) last year.   As I came through the checkout, the cashier (I could tell by her accent that she was from eastern Europe, but couldn't tell which country)  suddenly stopped running my items through the scanner and started staring at my last name (which is on my company uniform).

She quite "vigorously" said   "Your last name!....That's not right!!"

I said "What do you mean?"  to which she responded  "You don't spell it correctly!"

After some back-and-forth, I asked her what in the world she was talking about, and she wrote out my last name the way it should be spelled in  Polish . 

I told her with a deadpan delivery that I am quite certain my last name is spelled correctly (which was lost on her) , and it was slightly modified from the way it was spelled when my great-great-great grandparents came over from Pilsen.  That made her quite upset, and she insisted again that my name was not correctly spelled and that I should start spelling it the way she showed to me.  She continued to scan my items at the register, muttering all along that I am from a Polish background, not Czech.  I told her that no one spoke Polish or Czech, and according to the family history and records, all of them spoke German.  This was the wrong thing to say, and she actually got mad at me. 

In the few times since that I have come through her register, she just gives me the evil eye now, but doesn't say anything.

In retrospect, it is a bit amusing, but at the time I just thought she was a nutter.

Hilarious! But then again, it is sad how many of our names were "Americanized" by our grandparents, It has never been real popular to be an immigrant, folks do what they can to blend in- as an immigrant myself, I know this first hand.

Na zdrowie!

 

[Grey Heron]

True. God knows how many times I was asked if I wouldn't mind changing my surname into more English friendly... On the other hand I am attached to it so no [big grin] [big grin]
Na zdrowie wszystkim!!
(cheers everyone)
Another smashin' day in Scotland!!!

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Arek,   Arek is  a cool name--I wish there were audio on the forum so I could hear how to pronounce it.  I'm assuming this is the same as "Eric" ?

 

[Rob Z]

Hi William, you're right on the mark about the "Americanization of names".  Not only was our last name changed , but some of my male ancestors got with the program during WW1 and changed their names from the German to more American-sounding  names.  My Dad's grandfather changed from Wilhem Gustav Johan to William John.  They are grew up in the midwest in German-speaking farming communities, but with the war and the anti-german sentiment, they got with the program and ditched everything that was German (including the language).

 

[Grey Heron]

well Arek is short version of full Arkadiusz which comes from Greek Arkadios... I mainly use short version as it's more pronounceable for English people  [big grin]

 

[Rob Z]

I can see where "Arek" would be a bit easier for some!

One of the plumbers I work with is from Croatia.  His first name is "Dragutin", although he goes by "Dragi" to make it easier for everyone here....I do address him as Dragutin, which amuses him, because I think only his wife uses his full name here in the US.

 

[Grey Heron]

now you know the story  ;D
Gosh I should go to work... on the other hand I came back from workshop 11 pm last night so I'm bit tired...
But it's time to get myself together and earn few bobs...
[big grin]

 

[Rob Z]

Hi William, 

I didn't know until well into adulthood that the names had been changed from the German versions during the first world war. I read one of the family histories that had been compiled and thought "this is interesting".   

I vaguely knew that the last name had been changed, but didn't know the details.  As it is, when people see a last name that begins with "Z" they seem to immediately panic!

Growing up, I can remember asking my mom "Why does Grandma talk funny?"  As a five-year old, what did I know about accents or that there were languages other than English?

 

[Rob Z]

well Arek is short version of full Arkadiusz which comes from Greek Arkadios... I mainly use short version as it's more pronounceable for English people  [big grin]

Hi Arek,  I had the pleasure of speaking with Guy on the phone today. He pronounced your name for me.....I'm thinking I will need some practice to learn it!

 

[Alan m]

please inform us all.
spell it the way it sounds

 

[woodguy7]

Yea or im going to go & phone Guy right now  [big grin]

 

[Grey Heron]

I think Guy got bombarded by phonecalls today! I phoned him up as well  [big grin] we had quite a long chat but it was real joy to talk to someone who likes lot of things I like, and has good sense of humor as well.
My full first name phonetically would be Arkadyush with accent on 'ka'.
Well guys don't ask me about my surname coz you would require doctor's treatment and probably you would end up having your tongue wrapped in plaster for few weeks (might work for someone if he wants talkativeness therapy [eek] [wink])
Hey we've gone second page on chat (hope mods are not too angry...)