My last name is Czubaj — pronounced Shoe-buy (and in Poland, Chew-buy). Most of my life, people have absolutely destroyed it when trying to say it. Customer service calls, meetings, introductions — you name it.
Could I get annoyed? Sure. But why would I?
I’m actually flattered when people try. It means they took a moment to acknowledge me. Sometimes the pronunciations are so wildly creative that I just have to laugh. And that laugh reminds me of something important:
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
When you get upset because someone says your name wrong, what you’re really saying is,“I am more important than this situation. My identity must be recognized correctly at all times.”
That’s not humility — that’s ego.
There’s a graceful way to handle it. If you need to correct someone, do it politely and privately — not in a way that makes them embarrassed. No one likes to feel small for making an honest mistake.
When I see someone stay completely calm and unfazed after hearing their name butchered, I’m impressed. Those are the people who have mastered their ego. They’re not making the moment about themselves. They don’t need validation. And that confidence — quiet confidence — is powerful.
If you want to appear like a big person, make the mistake of your name a small thing. You already know your name. Let them try their best. And move on with grace.