Confidence is a preferance

[cdave]

or why I call myself Dave.

When I was a really little kid days were long and sunny, except when it snowed in winter. And I was a confident little David. I made friends easily, and generally was hyperactive and surreal the whole time.

Then as I went through school I became less open with those that didn't know me. I'd be a loud as ever with my mates, but quiet if I didn't know anyone there.

I'd been going to youth theatre classes for years, and when I was 16 I made a concious decision to as boisterous and surreal there with anyone, as I would be with close friends. I can't remember my exact thoughts, but it was something along the lines of "since everyone is here to be dramatic, it should be a safe space to be outgoing in". And I introduced myself as Dave.

When it came to A-levels, I'd taken maths early, and none of the local colleges were on the same exam board, so a whole bunch of the brightest kids stayed on at the IVth form. The way my school worked meant I'd only been in classes with about 50% of the kids before, but had had run ins with a fair few of them. I must have known about 75% of the sixth form from day one. So this was also somewhere safe to be odd in public.

By the time I started Uni I'd been being Dave rather than David long enough that this was a not so much a habit as a way of life.

Comments

[fiat-knox.livejournal.com]

I know this woman at A4e, who insists on calling me Alexander, even though (1) only my mother calls me that; (2) and only when I am in trouble.

My inner demon keeps scrambling for the Freud whenever I think this.

[cdave]

That's terrible. She's supposed to be helping you and can't even remember your chosen name.

My bosses name is of the form "James Clarks" and one of the people we work for keeps calling him "Clark".

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

I have a contact whose name is of the form John Jameson, and I keep calling him James ... he's very understanding!