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

[eviljules.livejournal.com]

I think you became Dave to me at around the same time I became Jules to everyone else. That was never a conscious decision on my part - it was just what people started calling me and it stuck.

Now it's a name I use to introduce myself in social situations - probably, like you, as a confidence thing. I rarely use it at work, although some have taken it upon themselves to call me that without prompting, which I don't object to, but find it a bit odd.

But on the whole I'm happy enough being called whatever people want to call me...other than Julie, which irks me every time. Having said that - I don't think anyone's mistakenly called me that for years! I guess I just don't *look* like a Julie any more :o)

[cdave]

Timelines are about right yep. I'd have been David when we first met.

I think at one point I was trying not to call you Jules but it wouldn't stick.

Oh, and people call me David in the office (but unless their management I'm secretly still being Dave).

[(Anonymous)]

Someone called me Vixie at work the other day, which was very, very surreal as I had introduced myself as Vicky when I started the job 7 months ago, and since only close friends and Joinees call me Vixie...

I think Tobes introduced you as David when I first met you, but Dave is way cooler :)