Nicknames

Me and nicknames do not get along. We never really have. I don't know how it happened. When I was young, I was always called Cynthia. Then, in high school someone had the bright idea of calling me Cindy and I was instantly repulsed. Plus, thankfully, I had a friend named Cindy (short for her name Cynthia) and was happy to inform everyone that Cindy was already taken by a classmate and I didn't want to be called the same thing. In college I was a little more relaxed. Some of my roommates started calling me Cynth and only a few very close friends ventured to call me Cyn. I actually quite liked that name. It was affectionate. But then, it does rhyme with the not so good word, sin - so after college, I was happy to let that nickname reside with a few close friends. Some still call me those names, and it is a fun reminder of our great times at Baylor. Since then, I kind of don't like nicknames. Even Phil doesn't call me one - it is usually Baby, Honey, Sweetie and sometimes we realize we have gone days without actually saying each other's real names! That makes us laugh and we start calling each other by our names, for oh an hour, and then we're back to our usual terms of endearment. But, back to nicknames. When Phil and I were first together I shared my nickname story and he shared he didn't like any of them and has called me Cynthia ever since.

Oh I get the occassional boss or colleague or friend who wants to cozy up quick and calls me Cindy, to which I most often non-tactifully reply, "It's Cynthia, not Cindy." I mean - really - how did I introduce myself? As Cynthia or Cindy? :)

But, the most interesting thing that has happened recently is the nickname my bosses have given me. I worked for Thomas Young, an evangelist and preacher, for a year and half and he nicknamed me CC - after my initials. Well, that was fine and didn't bother me too much. And now I work for the museum and my boss has, on his own mind you, started calling me CC and emailing me as such. Interesting. What to do? I can't seem to reply to the emails with - "No, it's Cynthia, get it right." But, its just my initials, so no big deal. Does that even qualify as a nickname?

So, are nicknames inevitable? Can I really stop the recurring wheel of nickname inception that comes my way? I guess if I had to choose one I could live with and even respond to I would go with Cynth. Its fun. Simple. Me.

Isn't it great that I have the time and freedom to ponder such deep thoughts? Maybe this CC should reply to my boss's email now.