What's in a Name?

In the mid-80's, I worked for a computer software company. We had one particular customer who was difficult. Ok, really, he was a pain in certain parts of the anatomy that shall remain nameless. He was always trying to get free product, and no-one wanted to deal with him. The salesman, the techs, the owner of the company were always in meetings or out of the office - even if it meant they had to step out onto the sidewalk - when he called. So, we foisted him off on a temp that was brought in at one point. She was very nice, very sweet, and very temporary. So, when he called back several weeks later, he asked for Pam, and was told that she had been a temp. I helped him as best I could, telling him that I would give the salesman his message, that I was sorry, all I could do was give him the message, that I understood his frustration, that the techs were not available...and he told me how helpful I had been, could he have my name? I don't know why, I don't know where it came from - but I told him my name was Nancy. The office manager turned around and gave me an odd look. When I hung up, I told her who I'd been talking to, she just busted out laughing, understanding why I had not given him my name.

Fast forward about six weeks, to his next call. I had just given 2 weeks notice. When the office manager answered the phone, she put the call on hold and started cracking up. We all kind of looked at each other, waiting to find out what was going on. She caught her breath, looked at me, and said, "Oh, Nancy, this call is for you." I picked up the phone, gave my real name, and told him that Nancy was no longer with the company - and heard him sigh. He went through his whole litany of reasons he HAD to talk to the salesman or tech, listened to my whole litany of reasons why he couldn't - and, at the end of it all told me how he was glad that he had been able to speak to me, and could he have my name. I told him my name is Connie - but it wouldn't do him good, as I was leaving the company. He asked how bad the company was to work for, that Pam and Nancy and I had all left - I told him that Pam had been a temp, that Nancy was a flake and we had to let her go ;) and that I had just decided to move on to another industry, that the company was a good company and that I was SURE that whoever they hired would be very helpful.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, this past weekend poetic justice hit.

This past weekend Hal and I were at the Penn West Conference of the UCC Annual Meeting. At one point, all new pastors were introduced to the gathering. I was surprised to hear the name "Nancy Garlick" along with Harold Garlick as the new pastors at Meyersdale. Realizing they meant me, I stood up and said "Connie" and heard several other voices say the same. The Conference Minister later apologized for misspeaking.

Odd thing is, this is not the first time this has happened. When Hal and I were first married, within the first month, we had to attend the annual meeting for the Methodist conference where Hal was serving. At the district dinner, his district superintendent introduced "Hal Garlick, and his new wife, Joyce." Hal and I stood up, and Hal said, "This is my new wife Connie. You weren't supposed to tell her about Joyce." Everyone laughed, the D.S. apologized, and we went on with dinner. I later found out that our neighbor in OH was Joyce.

And I won't even mention all the times I was called Constance, which is not my given name (if you must know, Connie is short for Confrontational).