Ok people.
I am going to clarify this once and for all.
It is Maan-see.
Yes, open your mouth wide and say the “s” like you would say it in in miss. Not a “z” sound … a “see” sound.
And no, it is not pronounced any other way. When I spell out M-A-N-S-I for you, don’t ask me, “So is it monsy or monsigh?”
Even though it starts out as “man” it isn’t pronounced that way. It’s maan-see.
No, not like Nancy. Nothing like Nancy.
No matter how many times people at Starbucks write it that way, or folks at work repeat it such. My name is not Nancy. It does not rhyme with Nancy. And I am not changing it to Nancy.
Just because some people find it difficult to pronounce it — and most find a way to butcher it — I am not changing my name.
Or letting the mispronounciation slide.
How would you like it if I called you Davay instead of Dave? Or Jaasawn instead of Jason.
What was that? They are easy names?
Well, so is mine.
And it has a meaning.
It means goddess of knowledge.
I bet you didn’t know that.
To some people it isn’t a big deal. They’d rather just say Jane or DJ at a Starbucks — all they need is their cuppa coffee, how does it matter?
It isn’t worth spending 40 seconds making the person behind the counter get every syllable right.
But I care. It’s my name.
Even though I know I’m wasting my time educating one person when the one at the other end will painlessly botch it all over again.
“Short white mocha, no whip for ummmm….Man-ey-sigh?!?”
Really?
I understand it’s a different language.
I get it that my name isn’t familiar to you — but just because it ain’t familiar doesn’t mean you’re going to change it.
My name is pronounced Mansi (open your mouth wider) and I am not answering to any other names.
And for the last time, I am not changing my name just because you don’t want to be inconvenienced.
(Here’s the backstory: I had been advised during my internship at NBC11 that it would behoove me to change my name to Nancy if I really wanted to rise up the ranks and have a career in TV journalism.
Needless to say, I didn’t pay any heed to that advice and TV journalism doesn’t exist — there’s only sensationalism — so no, I wasn’t going to have a career, promising or otherwise, in that industry to begin with.)
So, here’s your takeaway lesson: my name is pronounced — Maan-see.
It is not open to variation and I don’t appreciate your getting creative with it.
I’m not sorry that it’s difficult for you to wrap your head — or tongue — around.
I’m sorry that you won’t even try.
P.S. My last name, just in case you were wondering, is pronounced: Bhaa-tea-yeah!
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Mansi Bhatia
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Oh wow I totally know how you feel! Although I must admit I’ve just given up & tell people to call me “Ana or Anna.” I don’t have the patience for them to learn how to pronounce it lol.
I can’t help caring … it’s my name after all. And it’s not even a difficult one!
I think if the goddess of knowledge says it is so, then so it is!
A nice read. Names are so personal and somehow we grow with it and it grows within us. No matter how many people have the same name as us, it does make a difference. For me it is the reverse. People outside India can pronounce my name well but people here, no way.
When people take the trouble to pronounce your name right, it reflects a great deal about them, I reckon.
Enjoyed the back story as well!
Joy always,
Susan
Thanks, Susan. It does tell a great deal about people when they try — it also shows that you matter to them. Not that I’d expect a Starbucks employee to pronounce my name right because I matter to him/her, but just out of the courtesy of good customer service they ought to try. A fellow twitterer suggested I try telling them my name is "Truck" next time — that ought to grab their attention!
LOL! Loved this post, am promoting it on indivine
Thanks, Ritu. Appreciate it.
Hi Mansi,
I’m sure it gets very frustrating. I can’t relate too much although I’ve had many people in my life call me Bob instead of Bill (two common names). Some people just don’t think before they speak & although I’m not big on labels our name is truly who we are.
Hugs,
Bill
People don’t pay attention … and they don’t try when you correct them. That’s what’s more frustrating. But, hey, I’m on a mission
Ever get your "short white" hot? Or is it usually lukewarm by the time you realize they were calling out for you ?!
-anon1
The trick is to get it “extra hot” when ordering — learned it from experience
I agree. I concur. I nod vigorously. I’m another person with a five-letter, three-syllable name who still wonders how people can manage to get THAT wrong. And I’m still in the country of my (name’s) origin. *Sigh*
But it is my name, as you say. It is worth spending that much time making people get it right. It is the start of an identity. What else could be so important?
Nothing else is. It’s the one (and sometimes only) thing you answer to. Worth spending the time, I say, to make sure others get it right.
[…] “Dear Goddess,” started the letter. She had obviously read my post and committed the meaning of my name to […]
California! My home! Yipppeee!
This comment was supposed to be at the About me section. How did it get here?
Sheesh. Shows me how much I know about websites. Crap. Of course I know how to say Mansi.
HI,
Thanks for the smile your comment brought. More a grin, really.
This was an amusing post to read, no kidding. If you think something is hard to pronounce, try getting “Qian”. I could go on and on about it, but I’ve since stopped correcting people unless they really decide to ask.
Good you are so firm about it. My name too has been to the butcher’s – how does Raji become Raddy? You tell me.