Mixing
![How can I convince management to allow employees to purchase vacation? [closed]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbpfN9tAutmK93bJRC3ZoROZzi2TJDms5n8_qJuhgE0a9b52OOHayv3NGT8igAdFL7byXNst-_1DZK5SjrIJ28_6RQPUpBROqMs5s6jo-ZsjX8kjDwfxJufIitH3TaQRXWaGSQKRQib-f/s72-c/1.jpg)
Is it professional to correct misspellings of my name?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
up vote
27
down vote
favorite
I have a common name, but an uncommon spelling. Specifically, my name is Kelli.
Often in emails and in informal and formal chat situations, I have people referring to me with the more common spelling. Because of the situation, I rarely correct them. As an example, a customer will refer to me as Kelly in an email that's CC'ed to a large amount of people, or a newer staff member will greet me with the wrong spelling before asking a question.
Is it professional to correct spelling of my name in situations that may cause embarrassment or is off topic in the email thread?
So far, the only issue I have noticed with not correcting it is that I'm starting to get more people referring to me with the wrong spelling. I've also been asked about emails that I've not been getting. I realized that since my email is firstname.lastname@company.com, I'm not getting emails from people who spell my name wrong. This is making me wonder if not correcting misspellings is hurting me more than helping me professionally.
professionalism email
edited Nov 21 '14 at 22:10
gnat
3,23773066
asked Nov 21 '14 at 21:25
littlekellilee
6021711
 |Â
show 6 more comments
up vote
27
down vote
favorite
I have a common name, but an uncommon spelling. Specifically, my name is Kelli.
Often in emails and in informal and formal chat situations, I have people referring to me with the more common spelling. Because of the situation, I rarely correct them. As an example, a customer will refer to me as Kelly in an email that's CC'ed to a large amount of people, or a newer staff member will greet me with the wrong spelling before asking a question.
Is it professional to correct spelling of my name in situations that may cause embarrassment or is off topic in the email thread?
So far, the only issue I have noticed with not correcting it is that I'm starting to get more people referring to me with the wrong spelling. I've also been asked about emails that I've not been getting. I realized that since my email is firstname.lastname@company.com, I'm not getting emails from people who spell my name wrong. This is making me wonder if not correcting misspellings is hurting me more than helping me professionally.
professionalism email
edited Nov 21 '14 at 22:10
gnat
3,23773066
asked Nov 21 '14 at 21:25
littlekellilee
6021711
27
If not getting these emails becomes a significant problem to you, you might want to ask your IT to redirect emails to your incorrectly spelled address to you, or at least make sure that the address produces a bounce rather than just be a silent sinkhole.
– Lie Ryan
Nov 22 '14 at 10:35
1
My name is 4 letters long and it drives me mad when people call me Niel. That isn't even an alternative spelling. Seriously, it's 4 letters. What's so hard about it? I always correct my colleges, but I don't communicate with customers.
– Neil Kirk
Nov 22 '14 at 23:03
1
@Neil: The bank sent me a statement address "Lightning" once. Idiots.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:36
2
@NeilKirk: “I before E, except after C, or when sounded as A, as in Neil or...†wait, how does that go again?
– amaranth
Nov 23 '14 at 6:36
3
Being attentive to people's names and the spelling (and pronunciation) thereof is simply a good practice. But some people are unfortunately not so attentive. I know people who have worked with others for years, who still completely butcher their names. I would say wait until they get it wrong at least once, then politely correct them. Being pushy like "Anne-with-an-E" just makes you sound arrogant.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:41
 |Â
show 6 more comments
up vote
27
down vote
favorite
up vote
27
down vote
favorite
I have a common name, but an uncommon spelling. Specifically, my name is Kelli.
Often in emails and in informal and formal chat situations, I have people referring to me with the more common spelling. Because of the situation, I rarely correct them. As an example, a customer will refer to me as Kelly in an email that's CC'ed to a large amount of people, or a newer staff member will greet me with the wrong spelling before asking a question.
Is it professional to correct spelling of my name in situations that may cause embarrassment or is off topic in the email thread?
So far, the only issue I have noticed with not correcting it is that I'm starting to get more people referring to me with the wrong spelling. I've also been asked about emails that I've not been getting. I realized that since my email is firstname.lastname@company.com, I'm not getting emails from people who spell my name wrong. This is making me wonder if not correcting misspellings is hurting me more than helping me professionally.
professionalism email
edited Nov 21 '14 at 22:10
gnat
3,23773066
asked Nov 21 '14 at 21:25
littlekellilee
6021711
I have a common name, but an uncommon spelling. Specifically, my name is Kelli.
Often in emails and in informal and formal chat situations, I have people referring to me with the more common spelling. Because of the situation, I rarely correct them. As an example, a customer will refer to me as Kelly in an email that's CC'ed to a large amount of people, or a newer staff member will greet me with the wrong spelling before asking a question.
Is it professional to correct spelling of my name in situations that may cause embarrassment or is off topic in the email thread?
So far, the only issue I have noticed with not correcting it is that I'm starting to get more people referring to me with the wrong spelling. I've also been asked about emails that I've not been getting. I realized that since my email is firstname.lastname@company.com, I'm not getting emails from people who spell my name wrong. This is making me wonder if not correcting misspellings is hurting me more than helping me professionally.
professionalism email
edited Nov 21 '14 at 22:10
gnat
3,23773066
asked Nov 21 '14 at 21:25
littlekellilee
6021711
edited Nov 21 '14 at 22:10
gnat
3,23773066
edited Nov 21 '14 at 22:10
gnat
3,23773066
edited Nov 21 '14 at 22:10
gnat
3,23773066
3,23773066
asked Nov 21 '14 at 21:25
littlekellilee
6021711
asked Nov 21 '14 at 21:25
littlekellilee
6021711
asked Nov 21 '14 at 21:25
littlekellilee
6021711
6021711
27
If not getting these emails becomes a significant problem to you, you might want to ask your IT to redirect emails to your incorrectly spelled address to you, or at least make sure that the address produces a bounce rather than just be a silent sinkhole.
– Lie Ryan
Nov 22 '14 at 10:35
1
My name is 4 letters long and it drives me mad when people call me Niel. That isn't even an alternative spelling. Seriously, it's 4 letters. What's so hard about it? I always correct my colleges, but I don't communicate with customers.
– Neil Kirk
Nov 22 '14 at 23:03
1
@Neil: The bank sent me a statement address "Lightning" once. Idiots.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:36
2
@NeilKirk: “I before E, except after C, or when sounded as A, as in Neil or...†wait, how does that go again?
– amaranth
Nov 23 '14 at 6:36
3
Being attentive to people's names and the spelling (and pronunciation) thereof is simply a good practice. But some people are unfortunately not so attentive. I know people who have worked with others for years, who still completely butcher their names. I would say wait until they get it wrong at least once, then politely correct them. Being pushy like "Anne-with-an-E" just makes you sound arrogant.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:41
 |Â
show 6 more comments
27
If not getting these emails becomes a significant problem to you, you might want to ask your IT to redirect emails to your incorrectly spelled address to you, or at least make sure that the address produces a bounce rather than just be a silent sinkhole.
– Lie Ryan
Nov 22 '14 at 10:35
1
My name is 4 letters long and it drives me mad when people call me Niel. That isn't even an alternative spelling. Seriously, it's 4 letters. What's so hard about it? I always correct my colleges, but I don't communicate with customers.
– Neil Kirk
Nov 22 '14 at 23:03
1
@Neil: The bank sent me a statement address "Lightning" once. Idiots.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:36
2
@NeilKirk: “I before E, except after C, or when sounded as A, as in Neil or...†wait, how does that go again?
– amaranth
Nov 23 '14 at 6:36
3
Being attentive to people's names and the spelling (and pronunciation) thereof is simply a good practice. But some people are unfortunately not so attentive. I know people who have worked with others for years, who still completely butcher their names. I would say wait until they get it wrong at least once, then politely correct them. Being pushy like "Anne-with-an-E" just makes you sound arrogant.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:41
27
27
If not getting these emails becomes a significant problem to you, you might want to ask your IT to redirect emails to your incorrectly spelled address to you, or at least make sure that the address produces a bounce rather than just be a silent sinkhole.
– Lie Ryan
Nov 22 '14 at 10:35
If not getting these emails becomes a significant problem to you, you might want to ask your IT to redirect emails to your incorrectly spelled address to you, or at least make sure that the address produces a bounce rather than just be a silent sinkhole.
– Lie Ryan
Nov 22 '14 at 10:35
1
1
My name is 4 letters long and it drives me mad when people call me Niel. That isn't even an alternative spelling. Seriously, it's 4 letters. What's so hard about it? I always correct my colleges, but I don't communicate with customers.
– Neil Kirk
Nov 22 '14 at 23:03
My name is 4 letters long and it drives me mad when people call me Niel. That isn't even an alternative spelling. Seriously, it's 4 letters. What's so hard about it? I always correct my colleges, but I don't communicate with customers.
– Neil Kirk
Nov 22 '14 at 23:03
1
1
@Neil: The bank sent me a statement address "Lightning" once. Idiots.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:36
@Neil: The bank sent me a statement address "Lightning" once. Idiots.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:36
2
2
@NeilKirk: “I before E, except after C, or when sounded as A, as in Neil or...†wait, how does that go again?
– amaranth
Nov 23 '14 at 6:36
@NeilKirk: “I before E, except after C, or when sounded as A, as in Neil or...†wait, how does that go again?
– amaranth
Nov 23 '14 at 6:36
3
3
Being attentive to people's names and the spelling (and pronunciation) thereof is simply a good practice. But some people are unfortunately not so attentive. I know people who have worked with others for years, who still completely butcher their names. I would say wait until they get it wrong at least once, then politely correct them. Being pushy like "Anne-with-an-E" just makes you sound arrogant.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:41
Being attentive to people's names and the spelling (and pronunciation) thereof is simply a good practice. But some people are unfortunately not so attentive. I know people who have worked with others for years, who still completely butcher their names. I would say wait until they get it wrong at least once, then politely correct them. Being pushy like "Anne-with-an-E" just makes you sound arrogant.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:41
 |Â
show 6 more comments
9 Answers
9
active
oldest
votes
up vote
40
down vote
accepted
One way I've seen this situation handled is to put something in your signature on your company email. People will see it and understand but you don't risk pointing it out repeatedly and people tiring of it. You could do something like:
Kelli Smith
kelli.smith@somecompany.com
(That's Kelli with an 'I', if you want your email to get to me)
Or something more the flavor of what would be acceptable to you or in your company. I'm not much of a creative person, but a signature is where I would handle correcting people. They'll get used to it.
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:30
Chris E
40.5k22129166
6
I dunno, seems kinda defensive. Personally I prefer not to give the impression that it's my fault rather than the fault of the sender if they are too unobservant to notice which five letters make up my name.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:37
6
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Well, I have an unusual pronunciation instead of spelling and believe me, putting the blame on the other party is just wrong. If you really have to blame someone, blame your parents, anybody else can't really help it. People remember names in different ways and there is a reason 'common' spellings exist. It's no good being insulted by it or anything. Either way weird pronunciation or spelling has it's ups (recognizable in a crowd and unique usernames respectively) and downs (people misremembering), so it's all good in the end :) .
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:21
4
I don't see anyone being blamed here. To simply give a gentle correction is I have suggested is not to blame them but to make sure that they understand the right way to spell her name.
– Chris E
Nov 23 '14 at 3:22
I guess most customers of the company don't care how Kelli's name is spelled, all they care about is that Kelli receives their e-mails and solves their problems. So as long as all e-mails to kelli.smith@somecompany.com and kelly.smith@somecompany.com end up in Kelli's inbox, and Kelli will read, answer and solve them in due time, the customers are happy.
– pts
Nov 23 '14 at 12:41
@DavidMulder: I have an unusual pronunciation as well. You're not the only one. I'm not "putting the blame on the other party": it's nobody's "fault" and in my experience it's important to emphasise that. Otherwise people start resenting you for "making it difficult" for them and it really detracts from the actual job at hand. That being said, if somebody gets the spelling wrong because they are being unobservant and/or lazy then, yes, that is absolutely their fault, and also really rather rude. Just a little care and attention is not too much to ask.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:25
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
14
down vote
People who type in email addresses instead of adding you to the address book or copy pasting the mail address should be hit on the head twice a day. There are so many things you can type wrong and so many different versions of names.
You could write in your signature something like:
Kelli "with an I" Lee
Department XY
Company ABC
It will be confusing for a second, but people will remember it quickly and probably think of it each time they type in your email address. (assuming hitting them on the head did not help)
edited Nov 23 '14 at 2:45
Community♦
1
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:35
user29836
1812
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
10
down vote
You should always correct them, but subtly.
One way is to be a little "pushy" with your business cards.
Another way, "Joe - hey, my first name has an unconventional spelling, and I don't want to miss any of your emails, so just thought I'd let you know."
Go with the assumption that your audience is "competent, but uninformed." Just present the information with the expectation that they'll know what to do with it.
Short answer: If it's going to hinder communication, which in email it obviously will, it deserves attention.
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Wesley Long
44.7k15100159
10
I agree on the the fact that -company- emails being missed is worth bringing it up. If it was Kelli.lastname@email.com that was getting lost, I'd have also registered Kelly.lastname@email.com and have it forwarded.
– Xrylite
Nov 21 '14 at 22:38
4
@Xrylite - If the admins will let you. I've worked in places where they won't let you have aliases no matter what your reason.
– Wesley Long
Nov 22 '14 at 0:28
1
@Xrylite: Poor (hypothetical, future) co-worker Kelly Lastname, who will then end up with an even less intuitive address, despite having a unique name in the company.
– O. R. Mapper
Nov 22 '14 at 11:01
3
I also thought of @Xrylite's suggestion but the problem is then cured rather than solved. Next email will be sent to Kelly.lastname@company.com as well. Better option would be an automatic reply with "If you want to reach Kelli please forward to kelli.lastname@company.com" given that kelly.lastname@company.com is not already taken. Admins ought to be helpful instead of capricious! :)
– Kyr
Nov 22 '14 at 12:31
2
@Kyr: Perhaps have a bounce message which is in fact unique for that name but could appear auto-generated: "There is no email account kelly.lastname@example.com but one or more similar accounts exists: kelli.lastname@example.com (Kelli Lastname)." Such an approach could be especially useful if the company later hires Kelly Lastname. The message could then list both the above address and "kelly.j.lastname@example.com (Kelly J. Lastname)". Note that if people send mail meant for Kelli to kelly.lastname@example.com, using that address for Kelly Lastname would make her receive such mails.
– supercat
Nov 22 '14 at 19:09
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
7
down vote
As others have already said, it's generally OK to politely tell people how to correctly spell your name. Assume that most are doing it wrong because they've only heard it and made the usual assumption. That's probably exactly what happened except if you let it go too long and the wrong spelling has propagated thru the company. Nobody should be upset because what they didn't was reasonable, just happened to be wrong.
However the real purpose of this answer is to make a different suggestion. Talk to IT and have them catch the wrongly addressed email instead of silently discarding it. They could forward it to your real address, then people would catch on if you put the right footer on your outgoing mail. Or, they could bounce it with a message saying that kelly.lee@magacorp.com isn't a valid address, did you maybe mean kelli.lee@megacorp.com?
answered Nov 21 '14 at 23:59
Olin Lathrop
4,14811218
I would not recommend catching the wrong spelling (though the bounce "did you mean" is good). I have seen this at a few occasions, and the result is that people now have even less incentive to properly spell the name.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 22 '14 at 22:59
@PlasmaHH: Well, depends on how much you mind. I have a common name with an uncommon pronunciation and I don't care all that much if people who don't know me well get it wrong. With my mentality I would just throw in the "PS. Oh and btw, it's Kelli ;-)" (with the smiley to make clear I wasn't insulted or anything :) ) when somebody writes me a mail with my name wrong.
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:16
@DavidMulder: Obviously the OP is bothered enough by this to post here, so would want a solution that has a great chance to work, otherwise it would be shrugged of. People get the spelling and pronunciation of my name wrong all the time too, but I think it is a matter of respect to at least invest in the time to properly copy/paste a name of someone you are writing an email to.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 23 '14 at 12:31
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
You simply add a P.S. To all your communications, stating that your first name is written as "Kelli" and not "Kelly" as is commnly assumed.
P.S.: I write my name as "Kelli" and not "Kelly", as you would reasonably assume :)
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
I don't like this. It's defensive, and it suggests that the "unusual" spelling causing problems is Kelli's fault; it's not.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:38
@LightnessRacesInOrbit If I were the OP, it wouldn't bother me one way or the other. The name is what it is, as I am having the OP point out. So what?
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 23 '14 at 4:15
It's the "as you would reasonably assume". It's unnecessary. It's saying "hey, don't worry about the fact that you can't be bothered to read and then spell my name -- a whole five letters -- as I wrote them, that you've spent literally zero care and attention on professionally addressing me. I understand!" which is nonsense to my mind. This as someone who also has the OP's problem and has done for several decades; it absolutely bothers me.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:33
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Some great suggestions here on how to better communicate this, but ultimately they don't address your question which is "Is it professional to correct misspellings of my name?"
Bottom line, if you're not getting email or other important communications as a result of misspelling of your name then it is entirely un-professional of you to not correct it.
answered Nov 23 '14 at 3:24
Steve
3,70611127
1
Why downvoted? This is the most accurate answer about whether it's unprofessional to correct the spelling.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:35
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I too have had people butcher my name. Most often it was advertisements in the mail. My user name actually comes from one of those advertisements. But I've had worse than that. Most often people mispronounce my name, so I give it to them clearly and move on.
It's OK (and professional) to correct misspellings of your name. How and when you do it is very important. How you do it determines whether it is professional.
Others have given valuable suggestions. But let me focus on the feelings that are generated. You want others to end up with a good feeling about you. This (I think) is how to be professional and friendly.
Think about it from the perspective of the person you are correcting. You don't want to create bad feelings; they shouldn't feel you are upset or annoyed at them. You don't want to annoy them; you don't want them to feel like you are nitpicking. You don't want them to feel like you are accusing or criticizing. Avoid focusing on yourself; don't seem proud. Avoid focusing on their mistake; don't seem critical.
How can you create good feelings and avoid bad feelings. Have fun with it. Joke about it. Let them know you appreciate them.
Be careful about fighting against a flood. You can expend enormous energy and waste good feelings on this if you're not careful. That would not be professional.
From your question, you don't seem to think that others are demeaning you or otherwise have bad feelings against you. What about the saying "If you can't beat'em, join'em". It can be like a nickname. You can either fight it or embrace it. In my experience, it can be better to embrace it. Be Kelly.
Ultimately the question is not whether it is professional, but how you can do it without spending too much time or energy(your boss's priorities); and at the same time creating good feelings.
answered Nov 24 '14 at 1:30
D_Bester
1193
If you think that I'm focusing too much on feelings, think about this: I've seen enormous time and energy wasted dealing with bad feelings. It's unprofessional to create bad feelings. It directly affects the bottom line.
– D_Bester
Nov 24 '14 at 1:35
+1 for best answer to the actual question. "How and when" is really the key to approaching the issue professionally. Definitely do not cc: all; that is not professional.
– tardate
Mar 26 '15 at 20:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I would not have something like "Kelli (with an I)" in your signature. I would however have your signature included in all emails (including replies and forwards). Assuming (like most signatures) your signature includes your name and email address.
Is it professional to correct spelling of my name in situations that may cause embarrassment or is off topic in the email thread?
No. Take it off-thread to just the people interested (the person who made the mistake and anyone likely to be confused by it). Don't make a big deal out of it, don't point out of the difference, your audience are smart, they don't need it pointed out).
answered Nov 24 '14 at 13:41
mlk
43626
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
My name is Anne. Self-explanatory. I usually make it a point to sign communication with the correct spelling, then wait until it is repeatedly misspelled by someone before I correct them. By then, I'm really pissed off and don't care if it bothers them to be corrected.
answered Jul 29 '16 at 17:01
Anne Stauffer
11
suggest improvements |Â
StackExchange.ready(function ()
$("#show-editor-button input, #show-editor-button button").click(function ()
var showEditor = function()
$("#show-editor-button").hide();
$("#post-form").removeClass("dno");
StackExchange.editor.finallyInit();
;
var useFancy = $(this).data('confirm-use-fancy');
if(useFancy == 'True')
var popupTitle = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-title');
var popupBody = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-body');
var popupAccept = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-accept-button');
$(this).loadPopup(
url: '/post/self-answer-popup',
loaded: function(popup)
var pTitle = $(popup).find('h2');
var pBody = $(popup).find('.popup-body');
var pSubmit = $(popup).find('.popup-submit');
pTitle.text(popupTitle);
pBody.html(popupBody);
pSubmit.val(popupAccept).click(showEditor);
)
else
var confirmText = $(this).data('confirm-text');
if (confirmText ? confirm(confirmText) : true)
showEditor();
);
);
9 Answers
9
active
oldest
votes
9 Answers
9
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
40
down vote
accepted
One way I've seen this situation handled is to put something in your signature on your company email. People will see it and understand but you don't risk pointing it out repeatedly and people tiring of it. You could do something like:
Kelli Smith
kelli.smith@somecompany.com
(That's Kelli with an 'I', if you want your email to get to me)
Or something more the flavor of what would be acceptable to you or in your company. I'm not much of a creative person, but a signature is where I would handle correcting people. They'll get used to it.
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:30
Chris E
40.5k22129166
6
I dunno, seems kinda defensive. Personally I prefer not to give the impression that it's my fault rather than the fault of the sender if they are too unobservant to notice which five letters make up my name.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:37
6
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Well, I have an unusual pronunciation instead of spelling and believe me, putting the blame on the other party is just wrong. If you really have to blame someone, blame your parents, anybody else can't really help it. People remember names in different ways and there is a reason 'common' spellings exist. It's no good being insulted by it or anything. Either way weird pronunciation or spelling has it's ups (recognizable in a crowd and unique usernames respectively) and downs (people misremembering), so it's all good in the end :) .
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:21
4
I don't see anyone being blamed here. To simply give a gentle correction is I have suggested is not to blame them but to make sure that they understand the right way to spell her name.
– Chris E
Nov 23 '14 at 3:22
I guess most customers of the company don't care how Kelli's name is spelled, all they care about is that Kelli receives their e-mails and solves their problems. So as long as all e-mails to kelli.smith@somecompany.com and kelly.smith@somecompany.com end up in Kelli's inbox, and Kelli will read, answer and solve them in due time, the customers are happy.
– pts
Nov 23 '14 at 12:41
@DavidMulder: I have an unusual pronunciation as well. You're not the only one. I'm not "putting the blame on the other party": it's nobody's "fault" and in my experience it's important to emphasise that. Otherwise people start resenting you for "making it difficult" for them and it really detracts from the actual job at hand. That being said, if somebody gets the spelling wrong because they are being unobservant and/or lazy then, yes, that is absolutely their fault, and also really rather rude. Just a little care and attention is not too much to ask.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:25
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
40
down vote
accepted
One way I've seen this situation handled is to put something in your signature on your company email. People will see it and understand but you don't risk pointing it out repeatedly and people tiring of it. You could do something like:
Kelli Smith
kelli.smith@somecompany.com
(That's Kelli with an 'I', if you want your email to get to me)
Or something more the flavor of what would be acceptable to you or in your company. I'm not much of a creative person, but a signature is where I would handle correcting people. They'll get used to it.
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:30
Chris E
40.5k22129166
6
I dunno, seems kinda defensive. Personally I prefer not to give the impression that it's my fault rather than the fault of the sender if they are too unobservant to notice which five letters make up my name.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:37
6
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Well, I have an unusual pronunciation instead of spelling and believe me, putting the blame on the other party is just wrong. If you really have to blame someone, blame your parents, anybody else can't really help it. People remember names in different ways and there is a reason 'common' spellings exist. It's no good being insulted by it or anything. Either way weird pronunciation or spelling has it's ups (recognizable in a crowd and unique usernames respectively) and downs (people misremembering), so it's all good in the end :) .
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:21
4
I don't see anyone being blamed here. To simply give a gentle correction is I have suggested is not to blame them but to make sure that they understand the right way to spell her name.
– Chris E
Nov 23 '14 at 3:22
I guess most customers of the company don't care how Kelli's name is spelled, all they care about is that Kelli receives their e-mails and solves their problems. So as long as all e-mails to kelli.smith@somecompany.com and kelly.smith@somecompany.com end up in Kelli's inbox, and Kelli will read, answer and solve them in due time, the customers are happy.
– pts
Nov 23 '14 at 12:41
@DavidMulder: I have an unusual pronunciation as well. You're not the only one. I'm not "putting the blame on the other party": it's nobody's "fault" and in my experience it's important to emphasise that. Otherwise people start resenting you for "making it difficult" for them and it really detracts from the actual job at hand. That being said, if somebody gets the spelling wrong because they are being unobservant and/or lazy then, yes, that is absolutely their fault, and also really rather rude. Just a little care and attention is not too much to ask.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:25
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
40
down vote
accepted
up vote
40
down vote
accepted
One way I've seen this situation handled is to put something in your signature on your company email. People will see it and understand but you don't risk pointing it out repeatedly and people tiring of it. You could do something like:
Kelli Smith
kelli.smith@somecompany.com
(That's Kelli with an 'I', if you want your email to get to me)
Or something more the flavor of what would be acceptable to you or in your company. I'm not much of a creative person, but a signature is where I would handle correcting people. They'll get used to it.
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:30
Chris E
40.5k22129166
One way I've seen this situation handled is to put something in your signature on your company email. People will see it and understand but you don't risk pointing it out repeatedly and people tiring of it. You could do something like:
Kelli Smith
kelli.smith@somecompany.com
(That's Kelli with an 'I', if you want your email to get to me)
Or something more the flavor of what would be acceptable to you or in your company. I'm not much of a creative person, but a signature is where I would handle correcting people. They'll get used to it.
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:30
Chris E
40.5k22129166
edited Nov 21 '14 at 21:37
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:30
Chris E
40.5k22129166
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:30
Chris E
40.5k22129166
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:30
Chris E
40.5k22129166
40.5k22129166
6
I dunno, seems kinda defensive. Personally I prefer not to give the impression that it's my fault rather than the fault of the sender if they are too unobservant to notice which five letters make up my name.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:37
6
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Well, I have an unusual pronunciation instead of spelling and believe me, putting the blame on the other party is just wrong. If you really have to blame someone, blame your parents, anybody else can't really help it. People remember names in different ways and there is a reason 'common' spellings exist. It's no good being insulted by it or anything. Either way weird pronunciation or spelling has it's ups (recognizable in a crowd and unique usernames respectively) and downs (people misremembering), so it's all good in the end :) .
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:21
4
I don't see anyone being blamed here. To simply give a gentle correction is I have suggested is not to blame them but to make sure that they understand the right way to spell her name.
– Chris E
Nov 23 '14 at 3:22
I guess most customers of the company don't care how Kelli's name is spelled, all they care about is that Kelli receives their e-mails and solves their problems. So as long as all e-mails to kelli.smith@somecompany.com and kelly.smith@somecompany.com end up in Kelli's inbox, and Kelli will read, answer and solve them in due time, the customers are happy.
– pts
Nov 23 '14 at 12:41
@DavidMulder: I have an unusual pronunciation as well. You're not the only one. I'm not "putting the blame on the other party": it's nobody's "fault" and in my experience it's important to emphasise that. Otherwise people start resenting you for "making it difficult" for them and it really detracts from the actual job at hand. That being said, if somebody gets the spelling wrong because they are being unobservant and/or lazy then, yes, that is absolutely their fault, and also really rather rude. Just a little care and attention is not too much to ask.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:25
suggest improvements |Â
6
I dunno, seems kinda defensive. Personally I prefer not to give the impression that it's my fault rather than the fault of the sender if they are too unobservant to notice which five letters make up my name.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:37
6
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Well, I have an unusual pronunciation instead of spelling and believe me, putting the blame on the other party is just wrong. If you really have to blame someone, blame your parents, anybody else can't really help it. People remember names in different ways and there is a reason 'common' spellings exist. It's no good being insulted by it or anything. Either way weird pronunciation or spelling has it's ups (recognizable in a crowd and unique usernames respectively) and downs (people misremembering), so it's all good in the end :) .
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:21
4
I don't see anyone being blamed here. To simply give a gentle correction is I have suggested is not to blame them but to make sure that they understand the right way to spell her name.
– Chris E
Nov 23 '14 at 3:22
I guess most customers of the company don't care how Kelli's name is spelled, all they care about is that Kelli receives their e-mails and solves their problems. So as long as all e-mails to kelli.smith@somecompany.com and kelly.smith@somecompany.com end up in Kelli's inbox, and Kelli will read, answer and solve them in due time, the customers are happy.
– pts
Nov 23 '14 at 12:41
@DavidMulder: I have an unusual pronunciation as well. You're not the only one. I'm not "putting the blame on the other party": it's nobody's "fault" and in my experience it's important to emphasise that. Otherwise people start resenting you for "making it difficult" for them and it really detracts from the actual job at hand. That being said, if somebody gets the spelling wrong because they are being unobservant and/or lazy then, yes, that is absolutely their fault, and also really rather rude. Just a little care and attention is not too much to ask.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:25
6
6
I dunno, seems kinda defensive. Personally I prefer not to give the impression that it's my fault rather than the fault of the sender if they are too unobservant to notice which five letters make up my name.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:37
I dunno, seems kinda defensive. Personally I prefer not to give the impression that it's my fault rather than the fault of the sender if they are too unobservant to notice which five letters make up my name.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:37
6
6
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Well, I have an unusual pronunciation instead of spelling and believe me, putting the blame on the other party is just wrong. If you really have to blame someone, blame your parents, anybody else can't really help it. People remember names in different ways and there is a reason 'common' spellings exist. It's no good being insulted by it or anything. Either way weird pronunciation or spelling has it's ups (recognizable in a crowd and unique usernames respectively) and downs (people misremembering), so it's all good in the end :) .
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:21
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Well, I have an unusual pronunciation instead of spelling and believe me, putting the blame on the other party is just wrong. If you really have to blame someone, blame your parents, anybody else can't really help it. People remember names in different ways and there is a reason 'common' spellings exist. It's no good being insulted by it or anything. Either way weird pronunciation or spelling has it's ups (recognizable in a crowd and unique usernames respectively) and downs (people misremembering), so it's all good in the end :) .
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:21
4
4
I don't see anyone being blamed here. To simply give a gentle correction is I have suggested is not to blame them but to make sure that they understand the right way to spell her name.
– Chris E
Nov 23 '14 at 3:22
I don't see anyone being blamed here. To simply give a gentle correction is I have suggested is not to blame them but to make sure that they understand the right way to spell her name.
– Chris E
Nov 23 '14 at 3:22
I guess most customers of the company don't care how Kelli's name is spelled, all they care about is that Kelli receives their e-mails and solves their problems. So as long as all e-mails to kelli.smith@somecompany.com and kelly.smith@somecompany.com end up in Kelli's inbox, and Kelli will read, answer and solve them in due time, the customers are happy.
– pts
Nov 23 '14 at 12:41
I guess most customers of the company don't care how Kelli's name is spelled, all they care about is that Kelli receives their e-mails and solves their problems. So as long as all e-mails to kelli.smith@somecompany.com and kelly.smith@somecompany.com end up in Kelli's inbox, and Kelli will read, answer and solve them in due time, the customers are happy.
– pts
Nov 23 '14 at 12:41
@DavidMulder: I have an unusual pronunciation as well. You're not the only one. I'm not "putting the blame on the other party": it's nobody's "fault" and in my experience it's important to emphasise that. Otherwise people start resenting you for "making it difficult" for them and it really detracts from the actual job at hand. That being said, if somebody gets the spelling wrong because they are being unobservant and/or lazy then, yes, that is absolutely their fault, and also really rather rude. Just a little care and attention is not too much to ask.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:25
@DavidMulder: I have an unusual pronunciation as well. You're not the only one. I'm not "putting the blame on the other party": it's nobody's "fault" and in my experience it's important to emphasise that. Otherwise people start resenting you for "making it difficult" for them and it really detracts from the actual job at hand. That being said, if somebody gets the spelling wrong because they are being unobservant and/or lazy then, yes, that is absolutely their fault, and also really rather rude. Just a little care and attention is not too much to ask.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:25
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
14
down vote
People who type in email addresses instead of adding you to the address book or copy pasting the mail address should be hit on the head twice a day. There are so many things you can type wrong and so many different versions of names.
You could write in your signature something like:
Kelli "with an I" Lee
Department XY
Company ABC
It will be confusing for a second, but people will remember it quickly and probably think of it each time they type in your email address. (assuming hitting them on the head did not help)
edited Nov 23 '14 at 2:45
Community♦
1
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:35
user29836
1812
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
14
down vote
People who type in email addresses instead of adding you to the address book or copy pasting the mail address should be hit on the head twice a day. There are so many things you can type wrong and so many different versions of names.
You could write in your signature something like:
Kelli "with an I" Lee
Department XY
Company ABC
It will be confusing for a second, but people will remember it quickly and probably think of it each time they type in your email address. (assuming hitting them on the head did not help)
edited Nov 23 '14 at 2:45
Community♦
1
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:35
user29836
1812
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
14
down vote
up vote
14
down vote
People who type in email addresses instead of adding you to the address book or copy pasting the mail address should be hit on the head twice a day. There are so many things you can type wrong and so many different versions of names.
You could write in your signature something like:
Kelli "with an I" Lee
Department XY
Company ABC
It will be confusing for a second, but people will remember it quickly and probably think of it each time they type in your email address. (assuming hitting them on the head did not help)
edited Nov 23 '14 at 2:45
Community♦
1
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:35
user29836
1812
People who type in email addresses instead of adding you to the address book or copy pasting the mail address should be hit on the head twice a day. There are so many things you can type wrong and so many different versions of names.
You could write in your signature something like:
Kelli "with an I" Lee
Department XY
Company ABC
It will be confusing for a second, but people will remember it quickly and probably think of it each time they type in your email address. (assuming hitting them on the head did not help)
edited Nov 23 '14 at 2:45
Community♦
1
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:35
user29836
1812
edited Nov 23 '14 at 2:45
Community♦
1
edited Nov 23 '14 at 2:45
Community♦
1
edited Nov 23 '14 at 2:45
Community♦
1
1
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:35
user29836
1812
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:35
user29836
1812
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:35
user29836
1812
1812
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
10
down vote
You should always correct them, but subtly.
One way is to be a little "pushy" with your business cards.
Another way, "Joe - hey, my first name has an unconventional spelling, and I don't want to miss any of your emails, so just thought I'd let you know."
Go with the assumption that your audience is "competent, but uninformed." Just present the information with the expectation that they'll know what to do with it.
Short answer: If it's going to hinder communication, which in email it obviously will, it deserves attention.
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Wesley Long
44.7k15100159
10
I agree on the the fact that -company- emails being missed is worth bringing it up. If it was Kelli.lastname@email.com that was getting lost, I'd have also registered Kelly.lastname@email.com and have it forwarded.
– Xrylite
Nov 21 '14 at 22:38
4
@Xrylite - If the admins will let you. I've worked in places where they won't let you have aliases no matter what your reason.
– Wesley Long
Nov 22 '14 at 0:28
1
@Xrylite: Poor (hypothetical, future) co-worker Kelly Lastname, who will then end up with an even less intuitive address, despite having a unique name in the company.
– O. R. Mapper
Nov 22 '14 at 11:01
3
I also thought of @Xrylite's suggestion but the problem is then cured rather than solved. Next email will be sent to Kelly.lastname@company.com as well. Better option would be an automatic reply with "If you want to reach Kelli please forward to kelli.lastname@company.com" given that kelly.lastname@company.com is not already taken. Admins ought to be helpful instead of capricious! :)
– Kyr
Nov 22 '14 at 12:31
2
@Kyr: Perhaps have a bounce message which is in fact unique for that name but could appear auto-generated: "There is no email account kelly.lastname@example.com but one or more similar accounts exists: kelli.lastname@example.com (Kelli Lastname)." Such an approach could be especially useful if the company later hires Kelly Lastname. The message could then list both the above address and "kelly.j.lastname@example.com (Kelly J. Lastname)". Note that if people send mail meant for Kelli to kelly.lastname@example.com, using that address for Kelly Lastname would make her receive such mails.
– supercat
Nov 22 '14 at 19:09
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
10
down vote
You should always correct them, but subtly.
One way is to be a little "pushy" with your business cards.
Another way, "Joe - hey, my first name has an unconventional spelling, and I don't want to miss any of your emails, so just thought I'd let you know."
Go with the assumption that your audience is "competent, but uninformed." Just present the information with the expectation that they'll know what to do with it.
Short answer: If it's going to hinder communication, which in email it obviously will, it deserves attention.
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Wesley Long
44.7k15100159
10
I agree on the the fact that -company- emails being missed is worth bringing it up. If it was Kelli.lastname@email.com that was getting lost, I'd have also registered Kelly.lastname@email.com and have it forwarded.
– Xrylite
Nov 21 '14 at 22:38
4
@Xrylite - If the admins will let you. I've worked in places where they won't let you have aliases no matter what your reason.
– Wesley Long
Nov 22 '14 at 0:28
1
@Xrylite: Poor (hypothetical, future) co-worker Kelly Lastname, who will then end up with an even less intuitive address, despite having a unique name in the company.
– O. R. Mapper
Nov 22 '14 at 11:01
3
I also thought of @Xrylite's suggestion but the problem is then cured rather than solved. Next email will be sent to Kelly.lastname@company.com as well. Better option would be an automatic reply with "If you want to reach Kelli please forward to kelli.lastname@company.com" given that kelly.lastname@company.com is not already taken. Admins ought to be helpful instead of capricious! :)
– Kyr
Nov 22 '14 at 12:31
2
@Kyr: Perhaps have a bounce message which is in fact unique for that name but could appear auto-generated: "There is no email account kelly.lastname@example.com but one or more similar accounts exists: kelli.lastname@example.com (Kelli Lastname)." Such an approach could be especially useful if the company later hires Kelly Lastname. The message could then list both the above address and "kelly.j.lastname@example.com (Kelly J. Lastname)". Note that if people send mail meant for Kelli to kelly.lastname@example.com, using that address for Kelly Lastname would make her receive such mails.
– supercat
Nov 22 '14 at 19:09
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
10
down vote
up vote
10
down vote
You should always correct them, but subtly.
One way is to be a little "pushy" with your business cards.
Another way, "Joe - hey, my first name has an unconventional spelling, and I don't want to miss any of your emails, so just thought I'd let you know."
Go with the assumption that your audience is "competent, but uninformed." Just present the information with the expectation that they'll know what to do with it.
Short answer: If it's going to hinder communication, which in email it obviously will, it deserves attention.
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Wesley Long
44.7k15100159
You should always correct them, but subtly.
One way is to be a little "pushy" with your business cards.
Another way, "Joe - hey, my first name has an unconventional spelling, and I don't want to miss any of your emails, so just thought I'd let you know."
Go with the assumption that your audience is "competent, but uninformed." Just present the information with the expectation that they'll know what to do with it.
Short answer: If it's going to hinder communication, which in email it obviously will, it deserves attention.
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Wesley Long
44.7k15100159
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Wesley Long
44.7k15100159
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Wesley Long
44.7k15100159
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Wesley Long
44.7k15100159
44.7k15100159
10
I agree on the the fact that -company- emails being missed is worth bringing it up. If it was Kelli.lastname@email.com that was getting lost, I'd have also registered Kelly.lastname@email.com and have it forwarded.
– Xrylite
Nov 21 '14 at 22:38
4
@Xrylite - If the admins will let you. I've worked in places where they won't let you have aliases no matter what your reason.
– Wesley Long
Nov 22 '14 at 0:28
1
@Xrylite: Poor (hypothetical, future) co-worker Kelly Lastname, who will then end up with an even less intuitive address, despite having a unique name in the company.
– O. R. Mapper
Nov 22 '14 at 11:01
3
I also thought of @Xrylite's suggestion but the problem is then cured rather than solved. Next email will be sent to Kelly.lastname@company.com as well. Better option would be an automatic reply with "If you want to reach Kelli please forward to kelli.lastname@company.com" given that kelly.lastname@company.com is not already taken. Admins ought to be helpful instead of capricious! :)
– Kyr
Nov 22 '14 at 12:31
2
@Kyr: Perhaps have a bounce message which is in fact unique for that name but could appear auto-generated: "There is no email account kelly.lastname@example.com but one or more similar accounts exists: kelli.lastname@example.com (Kelli Lastname)." Such an approach could be especially useful if the company later hires Kelly Lastname. The message could then list both the above address and "kelly.j.lastname@example.com (Kelly J. Lastname)". Note that if people send mail meant for Kelli to kelly.lastname@example.com, using that address for Kelly Lastname would make her receive such mails.
– supercat
Nov 22 '14 at 19:09
suggest improvements |Â
10
I agree on the the fact that -company- emails being missed is worth bringing it up. If it was Kelli.lastname@email.com that was getting lost, I'd have also registered Kelly.lastname@email.com and have it forwarded.
– Xrylite
Nov 21 '14 at 22:38
4
@Xrylite - If the admins will let you. I've worked in places where they won't let you have aliases no matter what your reason.
– Wesley Long
Nov 22 '14 at 0:28
1
@Xrylite: Poor (hypothetical, future) co-worker Kelly Lastname, who will then end up with an even less intuitive address, despite having a unique name in the company.
– O. R. Mapper
Nov 22 '14 at 11:01
3
I also thought of @Xrylite's suggestion but the problem is then cured rather than solved. Next email will be sent to Kelly.lastname@company.com as well. Better option would be an automatic reply with "If you want to reach Kelli please forward to kelli.lastname@company.com" given that kelly.lastname@company.com is not already taken. Admins ought to be helpful instead of capricious! :)
– Kyr
Nov 22 '14 at 12:31
2
@Kyr: Perhaps have a bounce message which is in fact unique for that name but could appear auto-generated: "There is no email account kelly.lastname@example.com but one or more similar accounts exists: kelli.lastname@example.com (Kelli Lastname)." Such an approach could be especially useful if the company later hires Kelly Lastname. The message could then list both the above address and "kelly.j.lastname@example.com (Kelly J. Lastname)". Note that if people send mail meant for Kelli to kelly.lastname@example.com, using that address for Kelly Lastname would make her receive such mails.
– supercat
Nov 22 '14 at 19:09
10
10
I agree on the the fact that -company- emails being missed is worth bringing it up. If it was Kelli.lastname@email.com that was getting lost, I'd have also registered Kelly.lastname@email.com and have it forwarded.
– Xrylite
Nov 21 '14 at 22:38
I agree on the the fact that -company- emails being missed is worth bringing it up. If it was Kelli.lastname@email.com that was getting lost, I'd have also registered Kelly.lastname@email.com and have it forwarded.
– Xrylite
Nov 21 '14 at 22:38
4
4
@Xrylite - If the admins will let you. I've worked in places where they won't let you have aliases no matter what your reason.
– Wesley Long
Nov 22 '14 at 0:28
@Xrylite - If the admins will let you. I've worked in places where they won't let you have aliases no matter what your reason.
– Wesley Long
Nov 22 '14 at 0:28
1
1
@Xrylite: Poor (hypothetical, future) co-worker Kelly Lastname, who will then end up with an even less intuitive address, despite having a unique name in the company.
– O. R. Mapper
Nov 22 '14 at 11:01
@Xrylite: Poor (hypothetical, future) co-worker Kelly Lastname, who will then end up with an even less intuitive address, despite having a unique name in the company.
– O. R. Mapper
Nov 22 '14 at 11:01
3
3
I also thought of @Xrylite's suggestion but the problem is then cured rather than solved. Next email will be sent to Kelly.lastname@company.com as well. Better option would be an automatic reply with "If you want to reach Kelli please forward to kelli.lastname@company.com" given that kelly.lastname@company.com is not already taken. Admins ought to be helpful instead of capricious! :)
– Kyr
Nov 22 '14 at 12:31
I also thought of @Xrylite's suggestion but the problem is then cured rather than solved. Next email will be sent to Kelly.lastname@company.com as well. Better option would be an automatic reply with "If you want to reach Kelli please forward to kelli.lastname@company.com" given that kelly.lastname@company.com is not already taken. Admins ought to be helpful instead of capricious! :)
– Kyr
Nov 22 '14 at 12:31
2
2
@Kyr: Perhaps have a bounce message which is in fact unique for that name but could appear auto-generated: "There is no email account kelly.lastname@example.com but one or more similar accounts exists: kelli.lastname@example.com (Kelli Lastname)." Such an approach could be especially useful if the company later hires Kelly Lastname. The message could then list both the above address and "kelly.j.lastname@example.com (Kelly J. Lastname)". Note that if people send mail meant for Kelli to kelly.lastname@example.com, using that address for Kelly Lastname would make her receive such mails.
– supercat
Nov 22 '14 at 19:09
@Kyr: Perhaps have a bounce message which is in fact unique for that name but could appear auto-generated: "There is no email account kelly.lastname@example.com but one or more similar accounts exists: kelli.lastname@example.com (Kelli Lastname)." Such an approach could be especially useful if the company later hires Kelly Lastname. The message could then list both the above address and "kelly.j.lastname@example.com (Kelly J. Lastname)". Note that if people send mail meant for Kelli to kelly.lastname@example.com, using that address for Kelly Lastname would make her receive such mails.
– supercat
Nov 22 '14 at 19:09
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
7
down vote
As others have already said, it's generally OK to politely tell people how to correctly spell your name. Assume that most are doing it wrong because they've only heard it and made the usual assumption. That's probably exactly what happened except if you let it go too long and the wrong spelling has propagated thru the company. Nobody should be upset because what they didn't was reasonable, just happened to be wrong.
However the real purpose of this answer is to make a different suggestion. Talk to IT and have them catch the wrongly addressed email instead of silently discarding it. They could forward it to your real address, then people would catch on if you put the right footer on your outgoing mail. Or, they could bounce it with a message saying that kelly.lee@magacorp.com isn't a valid address, did you maybe mean kelli.lee@megacorp.com?
answered Nov 21 '14 at 23:59
Olin Lathrop
4,14811218
I would not recommend catching the wrong spelling (though the bounce "did you mean" is good). I have seen this at a few occasions, and the result is that people now have even less incentive to properly spell the name.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 22 '14 at 22:59
@PlasmaHH: Well, depends on how much you mind. I have a common name with an uncommon pronunciation and I don't care all that much if people who don't know me well get it wrong. With my mentality I would just throw in the "PS. Oh and btw, it's Kelli ;-)" (with the smiley to make clear I wasn't insulted or anything :) ) when somebody writes me a mail with my name wrong.
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:16
@DavidMulder: Obviously the OP is bothered enough by this to post here, so would want a solution that has a great chance to work, otherwise it would be shrugged of. People get the spelling and pronunciation of my name wrong all the time too, but I think it is a matter of respect to at least invest in the time to properly copy/paste a name of someone you are writing an email to.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 23 '14 at 12:31
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
7
down vote
As others have already said, it's generally OK to politely tell people how to correctly spell your name. Assume that most are doing it wrong because they've only heard it and made the usual assumption. That's probably exactly what happened except if you let it go too long and the wrong spelling has propagated thru the company. Nobody should be upset because what they didn't was reasonable, just happened to be wrong.
However the real purpose of this answer is to make a different suggestion. Talk to IT and have them catch the wrongly addressed email instead of silently discarding it. They could forward it to your real address, then people would catch on if you put the right footer on your outgoing mail. Or, they could bounce it with a message saying that kelly.lee@magacorp.com isn't a valid address, did you maybe mean kelli.lee@megacorp.com?
answered Nov 21 '14 at 23:59
Olin Lathrop
4,14811218
I would not recommend catching the wrong spelling (though the bounce "did you mean" is good). I have seen this at a few occasions, and the result is that people now have even less incentive to properly spell the name.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 22 '14 at 22:59
@PlasmaHH: Well, depends on how much you mind. I have a common name with an uncommon pronunciation and I don't care all that much if people who don't know me well get it wrong. With my mentality I would just throw in the "PS. Oh and btw, it's Kelli ;-)" (with the smiley to make clear I wasn't insulted or anything :) ) when somebody writes me a mail with my name wrong.
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:16
@DavidMulder: Obviously the OP is bothered enough by this to post here, so would want a solution that has a great chance to work, otherwise it would be shrugged of. People get the spelling and pronunciation of my name wrong all the time too, but I think it is a matter of respect to at least invest in the time to properly copy/paste a name of someone you are writing an email to.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 23 '14 at 12:31
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
7
down vote
up vote
7
down vote
As others have already said, it's generally OK to politely tell people how to correctly spell your name. Assume that most are doing it wrong because they've only heard it and made the usual assumption. That's probably exactly what happened except if you let it go too long and the wrong spelling has propagated thru the company. Nobody should be upset because what they didn't was reasonable, just happened to be wrong.
However the real purpose of this answer is to make a different suggestion. Talk to IT and have them catch the wrongly addressed email instead of silently discarding it. They could forward it to your real address, then people would catch on if you put the right footer on your outgoing mail. Or, they could bounce it with a message saying that kelly.lee@magacorp.com isn't a valid address, did you maybe mean kelli.lee@megacorp.com?
answered Nov 21 '14 at 23:59
Olin Lathrop
4,14811218
As others have already said, it's generally OK to politely tell people how to correctly spell your name. Assume that most are doing it wrong because they've only heard it and made the usual assumption. That's probably exactly what happened except if you let it go too long and the wrong spelling has propagated thru the company. Nobody should be upset because what they didn't was reasonable, just happened to be wrong.
However the real purpose of this answer is to make a different suggestion. Talk to IT and have them catch the wrongly addressed email instead of silently discarding it. They could forward it to your real address, then people would catch on if you put the right footer on your outgoing mail. Or, they could bounce it with a message saying that kelly.lee@magacorp.com isn't a valid address, did you maybe mean kelli.lee@megacorp.com?
answered Nov 21 '14 at 23:59
Olin Lathrop
4,14811218
answered Nov 21 '14 at 23:59
Olin Lathrop
4,14811218
answered Nov 21 '14 at 23:59
Olin Lathrop
4,14811218
answered Nov 21 '14 at 23:59
Olin Lathrop
4,14811218
4,14811218
I would not recommend catching the wrong spelling (though the bounce "did you mean" is good). I have seen this at a few occasions, and the result is that people now have even less incentive to properly spell the name.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 22 '14 at 22:59
@PlasmaHH: Well, depends on how much you mind. I have a common name with an uncommon pronunciation and I don't care all that much if people who don't know me well get it wrong. With my mentality I would just throw in the "PS. Oh and btw, it's Kelli ;-)" (with the smiley to make clear I wasn't insulted or anything :) ) when somebody writes me a mail with my name wrong.
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:16
@DavidMulder: Obviously the OP is bothered enough by this to post here, so would want a solution that has a great chance to work, otherwise it would be shrugged of. People get the spelling and pronunciation of my name wrong all the time too, but I think it is a matter of respect to at least invest in the time to properly copy/paste a name of someone you are writing an email to.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 23 '14 at 12:31
suggest improvements |Â
I would not recommend catching the wrong spelling (though the bounce "did you mean" is good). I have seen this at a few occasions, and the result is that people now have even less incentive to properly spell the name.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 22 '14 at 22:59
@PlasmaHH: Well, depends on how much you mind. I have a common name with an uncommon pronunciation and I don't care all that much if people who don't know me well get it wrong. With my mentality I would just throw in the "PS. Oh and btw, it's Kelli ;-)" (with the smiley to make clear I wasn't insulted or anything :) ) when somebody writes me a mail with my name wrong.
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:16
@DavidMulder: Obviously the OP is bothered enough by this to post here, so would want a solution that has a great chance to work, otherwise it would be shrugged of. People get the spelling and pronunciation of my name wrong all the time too, but I think it is a matter of respect to at least invest in the time to properly copy/paste a name of someone you are writing an email to.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 23 '14 at 12:31
I would not recommend catching the wrong spelling (though the bounce "did you mean" is good). I have seen this at a few occasions, and the result is that people now have even less incentive to properly spell the name.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 22 '14 at 22:59
I would not recommend catching the wrong spelling (though the bounce "did you mean" is good). I have seen this at a few occasions, and the result is that people now have even less incentive to properly spell the name.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 22 '14 at 22:59
@PlasmaHH: Well, depends on how much you mind. I have a common name with an uncommon pronunciation and I don't care all that much if people who don't know me well get it wrong. With my mentality I would just throw in the "PS. Oh and btw, it's Kelli ;-)" (with the smiley to make clear I wasn't insulted or anything :) ) when somebody writes me a mail with my name wrong.
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:16
@PlasmaHH: Well, depends on how much you mind. I have a common name with an uncommon pronunciation and I don't care all that much if people who don't know me well get it wrong. With my mentality I would just throw in the "PS. Oh and btw, it's Kelli ;-)" (with the smiley to make clear I wasn't insulted or anything :) ) when somebody writes me a mail with my name wrong.
– David Mulder
Nov 23 '14 at 3:16
@DavidMulder: Obviously the OP is bothered enough by this to post here, so would want a solution that has a great chance to work, otherwise it would be shrugged of. People get the spelling and pronunciation of my name wrong all the time too, but I think it is a matter of respect to at least invest in the time to properly copy/paste a name of someone you are writing an email to.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 23 '14 at 12:31
@DavidMulder: Obviously the OP is bothered enough by this to post here, so would want a solution that has a great chance to work, otherwise it would be shrugged of. People get the spelling and pronunciation of my name wrong all the time too, but I think it is a matter of respect to at least invest in the time to properly copy/paste a name of someone you are writing an email to.
– PlasmaHH
Nov 23 '14 at 12:31
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
You simply add a P.S. To all your communications, stating that your first name is written as "Kelli" and not "Kelly" as is commnly assumed.
P.S.: I write my name as "Kelli" and not "Kelly", as you would reasonably assume :)
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
I don't like this. It's defensive, and it suggests that the "unusual" spelling causing problems is Kelli's fault; it's not.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:38
@LightnessRacesInOrbit If I were the OP, it wouldn't bother me one way or the other. The name is what it is, as I am having the OP point out. So what?
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 23 '14 at 4:15
It's the "as you would reasonably assume". It's unnecessary. It's saying "hey, don't worry about the fact that you can't be bothered to read and then spell my name -- a whole five letters -- as I wrote them, that you've spent literally zero care and attention on professionally addressing me. I understand!" which is nonsense to my mind. This as someone who also has the OP's problem and has done for several decades; it absolutely bothers me.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:33
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
You simply add a P.S. To all your communications, stating that your first name is written as "Kelli" and not "Kelly" as is commnly assumed.
P.S.: I write my name as "Kelli" and not "Kelly", as you would reasonably assume :)
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
I don't like this. It's defensive, and it suggests that the "unusual" spelling causing problems is Kelli's fault; it's not.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:38
@LightnessRacesInOrbit If I were the OP, it wouldn't bother me one way or the other. The name is what it is, as I am having the OP point out. So what?
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 23 '14 at 4:15
It's the "as you would reasonably assume". It's unnecessary. It's saying "hey, don't worry about the fact that you can't be bothered to read and then spell my name -- a whole five letters -- as I wrote them, that you've spent literally zero care and attention on professionally addressing me. I understand!" which is nonsense to my mind. This as someone who also has the OP's problem and has done for several decades; it absolutely bothers me.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:33
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
You simply add a P.S. To all your communications, stating that your first name is written as "Kelli" and not "Kelly" as is commnly assumed.
P.S.: I write my name as "Kelli" and not "Kelly", as you would reasonably assume :)
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
You simply add a P.S. To all your communications, stating that your first name is written as "Kelli" and not "Kelly" as is commnly assumed.
P.S.: I write my name as "Kelli" and not "Kelly", as you would reasonably assume :)
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Nov 21 '14 at 21:31
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
68.9k7118254
I don't like this. It's defensive, and it suggests that the "unusual" spelling causing problems is Kelli's fault; it's not.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:38
@LightnessRacesInOrbit If I were the OP, it wouldn't bother me one way or the other. The name is what it is, as I am having the OP point out. So what?
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 23 '14 at 4:15
It's the "as you would reasonably assume". It's unnecessary. It's saying "hey, don't worry about the fact that you can't be bothered to read and then spell my name -- a whole five letters -- as I wrote them, that you've spent literally zero care and attention on professionally addressing me. I understand!" which is nonsense to my mind. This as someone who also has the OP's problem and has done for several decades; it absolutely bothers me.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:33
suggest improvements |Â
I don't like this. It's defensive, and it suggests that the "unusual" spelling causing problems is Kelli's fault; it's not.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:38
@LightnessRacesInOrbit If I were the OP, it wouldn't bother me one way or the other. The name is what it is, as I am having the OP point out. So what?
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 23 '14 at 4:15
It's the "as you would reasonably assume". It's unnecessary. It's saying "hey, don't worry about the fact that you can't be bothered to read and then spell my name -- a whole five letters -- as I wrote them, that you've spent literally zero care and attention on professionally addressing me. I understand!" which is nonsense to my mind. This as someone who also has the OP's problem and has done for several decades; it absolutely bothers me.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:33
I don't like this. It's defensive, and it suggests that the "unusual" spelling causing problems is Kelli's fault; it's not.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:38
I don't like this. It's defensive, and it suggests that the "unusual" spelling causing problems is Kelli's fault; it's not.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:38
@LightnessRacesInOrbit If I were the OP, it wouldn't bother me one way or the other. The name is what it is, as I am having the OP point out. So what?
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 23 '14 at 4:15
@LightnessRacesInOrbit If I were the OP, it wouldn't bother me one way or the other. The name is what it is, as I am having the OP point out. So what?
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Nov 23 '14 at 4:15
It's the "as you would reasonably assume". It's unnecessary. It's saying "hey, don't worry about the fact that you can't be bothered to read and then spell my name -- a whole five letters -- as I wrote them, that you've spent literally zero care and attention on professionally addressing me. I understand!" which is nonsense to my mind. This as someone who also has the OP's problem and has done for several decades; it absolutely bothers me.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:33
It's the "as you would reasonably assume". It's unnecessary. It's saying "hey, don't worry about the fact that you can't be bothered to read and then spell my name -- a whole five letters -- as I wrote them, that you've spent literally zero care and attention on professionally addressing me. I understand!" which is nonsense to my mind. This as someone who also has the OP's problem and has done for several decades; it absolutely bothers me.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 14:33
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Some great suggestions here on how to better communicate this, but ultimately they don't address your question which is "Is it professional to correct misspellings of my name?"
Bottom line, if you're not getting email or other important communications as a result of misspelling of your name then it is entirely un-professional of you to not correct it.
answered Nov 23 '14 at 3:24
Steve
3,70611127
1
Why downvoted? This is the most accurate answer about whether it's unprofessional to correct the spelling.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:35
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Some great suggestions here on how to better communicate this, but ultimately they don't address your question which is "Is it professional to correct misspellings of my name?"
Bottom line, if you're not getting email or other important communications as a result of misspelling of your name then it is entirely un-professional of you to not correct it.
answered Nov 23 '14 at 3:24
Steve
3,70611127
1
Why downvoted? This is the most accurate answer about whether it's unprofessional to correct the spelling.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:35
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Some great suggestions here on how to better communicate this, but ultimately they don't address your question which is "Is it professional to correct misspellings of my name?"
Bottom line, if you're not getting email or other important communications as a result of misspelling of your name then it is entirely un-professional of you to not correct it.
answered Nov 23 '14 at 3:24
Steve
3,70611127
Some great suggestions here on how to better communicate this, but ultimately they don't address your question which is "Is it professional to correct misspellings of my name?"
Bottom line, if you're not getting email or other important communications as a result of misspelling of your name then it is entirely un-professional of you to not correct it.
answered Nov 23 '14 at 3:24
Steve
3,70611127
edited Nov 23 '14 at 4:04
answered Nov 23 '14 at 3:24
Steve
3,70611127
answered Nov 23 '14 at 3:24
Steve
3,70611127
answered Nov 23 '14 at 3:24
Steve
3,70611127
3,70611127
1
Why downvoted? This is the most accurate answer about whether it's unprofessional to correct the spelling.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:35
suggest improvements |Â
1
Why downvoted? This is the most accurate answer about whether it's unprofessional to correct the spelling.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:35
1
1
Why downvoted? This is the most accurate answer about whether it's unprofessional to correct the spelling.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:35
Why downvoted? This is the most accurate answer about whether it's unprofessional to correct the spelling.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:35
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I too have had people butcher my name. Most often it was advertisements in the mail. My user name actually comes from one of those advertisements. But I've had worse than that. Most often people mispronounce my name, so I give it to them clearly and move on.
It's OK (and professional) to correct misspellings of your name. How and when you do it is very important. How you do it determines whether it is professional.
Others have given valuable suggestions. But let me focus on the feelings that are generated. You want others to end up with a good feeling about you. This (I think) is how to be professional and friendly.
Think about it from the perspective of the person you are correcting. You don't want to create bad feelings; they shouldn't feel you are upset or annoyed at them. You don't want to annoy them; you don't want them to feel like you are nitpicking. You don't want them to feel like you are accusing or criticizing. Avoid focusing on yourself; don't seem proud. Avoid focusing on their mistake; don't seem critical.
How can you create good feelings and avoid bad feelings. Have fun with it. Joke about it. Let them know you appreciate them.
Be careful about fighting against a flood. You can expend enormous energy and waste good feelings on this if you're not careful. That would not be professional.
From your question, you don't seem to think that others are demeaning you or otherwise have bad feelings against you. What about the saying "If you can't beat'em, join'em". It can be like a nickname. You can either fight it or embrace it. In my experience, it can be better to embrace it. Be Kelly.
Ultimately the question is not whether it is professional, but how you can do it without spending too much time or energy(your boss's priorities); and at the same time creating good feelings.
answered Nov 24 '14 at 1:30
D_Bester
1193
If you think that I'm focusing too much on feelings, think about this: I've seen enormous time and energy wasted dealing with bad feelings. It's unprofessional to create bad feelings. It directly affects the bottom line.
– D_Bester
Nov 24 '14 at 1:35
+1 for best answer to the actual question. "How and when" is really the key to approaching the issue professionally. Definitely do not cc: all; that is not professional.
– tardate
Mar 26 '15 at 20:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I too have had people butcher my name. Most often it was advertisements in the mail. My user name actually comes from one of those advertisements. But I've had worse than that. Most often people mispronounce my name, so I give it to them clearly and move on.
It's OK (and professional) to correct misspellings of your name. How and when you do it is very important. How you do it determines whether it is professional.
Others have given valuable suggestions. But let me focus on the feelings that are generated. You want others to end up with a good feeling about you. This (I think) is how to be professional and friendly.
Think about it from the perspective of the person you are correcting. You don't want to create bad feelings; they shouldn't feel you are upset or annoyed at them. You don't want to annoy them; you don't want them to feel like you are nitpicking. You don't want them to feel like you are accusing or criticizing. Avoid focusing on yourself; don't seem proud. Avoid focusing on their mistake; don't seem critical.
How can you create good feelings and avoid bad feelings. Have fun with it. Joke about it. Let them know you appreciate them.
Be careful about fighting against a flood. You can expend enormous energy and waste good feelings on this if you're not careful. That would not be professional.
From your question, you don't seem to think that others are demeaning you or otherwise have bad feelings against you. What about the saying "If you can't beat'em, join'em". It can be like a nickname. You can either fight it or embrace it. In my experience, it can be better to embrace it. Be Kelly.
Ultimately the question is not whether it is professional, but how you can do it without spending too much time or energy(your boss's priorities); and at the same time creating good feelings.
answered Nov 24 '14 at 1:30
D_Bester
1193
If you think that I'm focusing too much on feelings, think about this: I've seen enormous time and energy wasted dealing with bad feelings. It's unprofessional to create bad feelings. It directly affects the bottom line.
– D_Bester
Nov 24 '14 at 1:35
+1 for best answer to the actual question. "How and when" is really the key to approaching the issue professionally. Definitely do not cc: all; that is not professional.
– tardate
Mar 26 '15 at 20:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I too have had people butcher my name. Most often it was advertisements in the mail. My user name actually comes from one of those advertisements. But I've had worse than that. Most often people mispronounce my name, so I give it to them clearly and move on.
It's OK (and professional) to correct misspellings of your name. How and when you do it is very important. How you do it determines whether it is professional.
Others have given valuable suggestions. But let me focus on the feelings that are generated. You want others to end up with a good feeling about you. This (I think) is how to be professional and friendly.
Think about it from the perspective of the person you are correcting. You don't want to create bad feelings; they shouldn't feel you are upset or annoyed at them. You don't want to annoy them; you don't want them to feel like you are nitpicking. You don't want them to feel like you are accusing or criticizing. Avoid focusing on yourself; don't seem proud. Avoid focusing on their mistake; don't seem critical.
How can you create good feelings and avoid bad feelings. Have fun with it. Joke about it. Let them know you appreciate them.
Be careful about fighting against a flood. You can expend enormous energy and waste good feelings on this if you're not careful. That would not be professional.
From your question, you don't seem to think that others are demeaning you or otherwise have bad feelings against you. What about the saying "If you can't beat'em, join'em". It can be like a nickname. You can either fight it or embrace it. In my experience, it can be better to embrace it. Be Kelly.
Ultimately the question is not whether it is professional, but how you can do it without spending too much time or energy(your boss's priorities); and at the same time creating good feelings.
answered Nov 24 '14 at 1:30
D_Bester
1193
I too have had people butcher my name. Most often it was advertisements in the mail. My user name actually comes from one of those advertisements. But I've had worse than that. Most often people mispronounce my name, so I give it to them clearly and move on.
It's OK (and professional) to correct misspellings of your name. How and when you do it is very important. How you do it determines whether it is professional.
Others have given valuable suggestions. But let me focus on the feelings that are generated. You want others to end up with a good feeling about you. This (I think) is how to be professional and friendly.
Think about it from the perspective of the person you are correcting. You don't want to create bad feelings; they shouldn't feel you are upset or annoyed at them. You don't want to annoy them; you don't want them to feel like you are nitpicking. You don't want them to feel like you are accusing or criticizing. Avoid focusing on yourself; don't seem proud. Avoid focusing on their mistake; don't seem critical.
How can you create good feelings and avoid bad feelings. Have fun with it. Joke about it. Let them know you appreciate them.
Be careful about fighting against a flood. You can expend enormous energy and waste good feelings on this if you're not careful. That would not be professional.
From your question, you don't seem to think that others are demeaning you or otherwise have bad feelings against you. What about the saying "If you can't beat'em, join'em". It can be like a nickname. You can either fight it or embrace it. In my experience, it can be better to embrace it. Be Kelly.
Ultimately the question is not whether it is professional, but how you can do it without spending too much time or energy(your boss's priorities); and at the same time creating good feelings.
answered Nov 24 '14 at 1:30
D_Bester
1193
answered Nov 24 '14 at 1:30
D_Bester
1193
answered Nov 24 '14 at 1:30
D_Bester
1193
answered Nov 24 '14 at 1:30
D_Bester
1193
1193
If you think that I'm focusing too much on feelings, think about this: I've seen enormous time and energy wasted dealing with bad feelings. It's unprofessional to create bad feelings. It directly affects the bottom line.
– D_Bester
Nov 24 '14 at 1:35
+1 for best answer to the actual question. "How and when" is really the key to approaching the issue professionally. Definitely do not cc: all; that is not professional.
– tardate
Mar 26 '15 at 20:02
suggest improvements |Â
If you think that I'm focusing too much on feelings, think about this: I've seen enormous time and energy wasted dealing with bad feelings. It's unprofessional to create bad feelings. It directly affects the bottom line.
– D_Bester
Nov 24 '14 at 1:35
+1 for best answer to the actual question. "How and when" is really the key to approaching the issue professionally. Definitely do not cc: all; that is not professional.
– tardate
Mar 26 '15 at 20:02
If you think that I'm focusing too much on feelings, think about this: I've seen enormous time and energy wasted dealing with bad feelings. It's unprofessional to create bad feelings. It directly affects the bottom line.
– D_Bester
Nov 24 '14 at 1:35
If you think that I'm focusing too much on feelings, think about this: I've seen enormous time and energy wasted dealing with bad feelings. It's unprofessional to create bad feelings. It directly affects the bottom line.
– D_Bester
Nov 24 '14 at 1:35
+1 for best answer to the actual question. "How and when" is really the key to approaching the issue professionally. Definitely do not cc: all; that is not professional.
– tardate
Mar 26 '15 at 20:02
+1 for best answer to the actual question. "How and when" is really the key to approaching the issue professionally. Definitely do not cc: all; that is not professional.
– tardate
Mar 26 '15 at 20:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I would not have something like "Kelli (with an I)" in your signature. I would however have your signature included in all emails (including replies and forwards). Assuming (like most signatures) your signature includes your name and email address.
Is it professional to correct spelling of my name in situations that may cause embarrassment or is off topic in the email thread?
No. Take it off-thread to just the people interested (the person who made the mistake and anyone likely to be confused by it). Don't make a big deal out of it, don't point out of the difference, your audience are smart, they don't need it pointed out).
answered Nov 24 '14 at 13:41
mlk
43626
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I would not have something like "Kelli (with an I)" in your signature. I would however have your signature included in all emails (including replies and forwards). Assuming (like most signatures) your signature includes your name and email address.
Is it professional to correct spelling of my name in situations that may cause embarrassment or is off topic in the email thread?
No. Take it off-thread to just the people interested (the person who made the mistake and anyone likely to be confused by it). Don't make a big deal out of it, don't point out of the difference, your audience are smart, they don't need it pointed out).
answered Nov 24 '14 at 13:41
mlk
43626
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I would not have something like "Kelli (with an I)" in your signature. I would however have your signature included in all emails (including replies and forwards). Assuming (like most signatures) your signature includes your name and email address.
Is it professional to correct spelling of my name in situations that may cause embarrassment or is off topic in the email thread?
No. Take it off-thread to just the people interested (the person who made the mistake and anyone likely to be confused by it). Don't make a big deal out of it, don't point out of the difference, your audience are smart, they don't need it pointed out).
answered Nov 24 '14 at 13:41
mlk
43626
I would not have something like "Kelli (with an I)" in your signature. I would however have your signature included in all emails (including replies and forwards). Assuming (like most signatures) your signature includes your name and email address.
Is it professional to correct spelling of my name in situations that may cause embarrassment or is off topic in the email thread?
No. Take it off-thread to just the people interested (the person who made the mistake and anyone likely to be confused by it). Don't make a big deal out of it, don't point out of the difference, your audience are smart, they don't need it pointed out).
answered Nov 24 '14 at 13:41
mlk
43626
answered Nov 24 '14 at 13:41
mlk
43626
answered Nov 24 '14 at 13:41
mlk
43626
answered Nov 24 '14 at 13:41
mlk
43626
43626
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
My name is Anne. Self-explanatory. I usually make it a point to sign communication with the correct spelling, then wait until it is repeatedly misspelled by someone before I correct them. By then, I'm really pissed off and don't care if it bothers them to be corrected.
answered Jul 29 '16 at 17:01
Anne Stauffer
11
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
My name is Anne. Self-explanatory. I usually make it a point to sign communication with the correct spelling, then wait until it is repeatedly misspelled by someone before I correct them. By then, I'm really pissed off and don't care if it bothers them to be corrected.
answered Jul 29 '16 at 17:01
Anne Stauffer
11
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
My name is Anne. Self-explanatory. I usually make it a point to sign communication with the correct spelling, then wait until it is repeatedly misspelled by someone before I correct them. By then, I'm really pissed off and don't care if it bothers them to be corrected.
answered Jul 29 '16 at 17:01
Anne Stauffer
11
My name is Anne. Self-explanatory. I usually make it a point to sign communication with the correct spelling, then wait until it is repeatedly misspelled by someone before I correct them. By then, I'm really pissed off and don't care if it bothers them to be corrected.
answered Jul 29 '16 at 17:01
Anne Stauffer
11
answered Jul 29 '16 at 17:01
Anne Stauffer
11
answered Jul 29 '16 at 17:01
Anne Stauffer
11
answered Jul 29 '16 at 17:01
Anne Stauffer
11
11
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworkplace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f36565%2fis-it-professional-to-correct-misspellings-of-my-name%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
27
If not getting these emails becomes a significant problem to you, you might want to ask your IT to redirect emails to your incorrectly spelled address to you, or at least make sure that the address produces a bounce rather than just be a silent sinkhole.
– Lie Ryan
Nov 22 '14 at 10:35
1
My name is 4 letters long and it drives me mad when people call me Niel. That isn't even an alternative spelling. Seriously, it's 4 letters. What's so hard about it? I always correct my colleges, but I don't communicate with customers.
– Neil Kirk
Nov 22 '14 at 23:03
1
@Neil: The bank sent me a statement address "Lightning" once. Idiots.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 23 '14 at 2:36
2
@NeilKirk: “I before E, except after C, or when sounded as A, as in Neil or...†wait, how does that go again?
– amaranth
Nov 23 '14 at 6:36
3
Being attentive to people's names and the spelling (and pronunciation) thereof is simply a good practice. But some people are unfortunately not so attentive. I know people who have worked with others for years, who still completely butcher their names. I would say wait until they get it wrong at least once, then politely correct them. Being pushy like "Anne-with-an-E" just makes you sound arrogant.
– Ryan Griggs
Nov 23 '14 at 21:41