In my teens- I shortened my name to V. Just 'V' but that didn't last with people insisting to know what it stood for and so would begin an hour long conversation and many a lesson in pronunciation.

In my 20's, I lied and said my name was Anne. This quickly failed as I never responded when called- I was labelled a snob, rude and..deaf.
So now, in my 30's I'm just me. Me with the name that sets apart from all the Anne's Sally's and Shaniqua's!!

But there's a lesson to be learned in being different. It requires a certain amount of courage and forward thinking. It is true- some people like to play it safe, they don't like what they can't pronounce.

Admittedly, in my life- when it comes to food- I play it VERY safe. I don't like what I can't decipher on my plate. But I digress. People play it safe and I get it - but my name isn't all that scary- I've been told (when they say my name) it actually makes people feel quite exotic…-ooh la la. I am happy to obilge.