I am whoever I say I am

Good attitude.

I think Martin & Daniel need to remember that ‘they’ chose to build relationships with people using a particular nickname. They should then expect people to address them that way. If they wish to change this behavior for people they meet in person, fine but they also need to realize that they’re responsible for the ‘problem’ and shouldn’t be annoyed by it.

@nnonix
There is nothing as important as your name and it is IMO totally okay and natural if they want to be called by there name.
Most of the time (in net) you have to use a nickname, because you cannot use your real name. (I believe there is more than one “Martin” and more than one “Daniel” using IRC)
If you meet someone in RL there is nothing that is preventing someone to use your real name.

@Timo

There are several things more important than your name. Let’s not get dramatic. Additionally, while it might be natural for you to want to be called by your name it is also natural for a person who is used to addressing you as X to call you by that name.

Daniel & Martin could solve this problem by using Martin44 and Daniel99 (change number to something relevant). People would then naturally drop the numbers in polite conversation and lead to IRC friends calling them Martin & Daniel.

I think it is completely legitimate to point out that they are complaining about a problem they created themselves.

@nnonix
>here are several things more important than your name.
not from a psychological point of view. A real good reference is Nikolaus B. Enkelmann - “Name Power” (I don’t know if there is a english translation available) (I believe that Brian Tracy should also have a chapter in one of his books about this topic)

>it is also natural for a person who is used to addressing you as
>X to call you by that name.
ACK. But here is my point - if you ask someone to call you by another name it is just a act of respect to do it.

Side note: I also call some friends by their nicknames and they call me by mine, that is okay if everybody is comfortable with it.

>I think it is completely legitimate to point out that they are
>complaining about a problem they created themselves
ACK.

It is IMHO okay to call someone by his nickname as long as everyone is comfortable with it and if it is appropriate. On the other hand it is - just as I mentioned - a act of respect to stop using a nickname in RL if someone requests it.

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