Surnames as first names
 

Perhaps some of our American friends can answer a question for me.

When you watch American programmes - Bones, House, ER etc - they all use the surname as the main name - Booth and Brennan, House, Carter etc.

Is this a common thing in real life or is it just a strange TV thing?

Re: Surnames as first names
 

Yo Blair springs to mind.:dancedog:

Re: Surnames as first names
 

It happens all the time....who the hell would like to be call 'Chicken George' as opposed to George Chicken.

What about Duck's Garinda? :D:D

Re: Surnames as first names
 

think the answer to this is simple, in britain we use christian names cos wev'e got friends.:hehetable

Re: Surnames as first names
 

It doesn't work for women.
I have had 3 surnames

Re: Surnames as first names
 

You should have hibernated sooner.:hidewall:

Re: Surnames as first names
 

Tend to use the surname/family name if I am talking to a third party if the person in question is not well known to him/her. Usually use the first/Christian/given name if in face to face conversation. The boss still gets Mr.
Usually answer the phone with just my surname "S..... here"
Nick-names never use at work with employees only with friends, once got into big trouble with the union during an arbitration heaing when it came out that my nick-name for an employee was Johnny Ray , (he was a big cry-baby ), fortunatly for me the older panel members saw the humorous side ;)

Re: Surnames as first names
 

Women shouldn't adopt a man's surname on marriage - it makes it harder to trace old friends.
I changed mine back to the one I was born with when I decided that I just wasn't suited to matrimony - it took me 40 years to decide that:rolleyes:

Re: Surnames as first names
 

we have a boss here who does this a lot and it pees off most people. He did it once to me and I put him straight there and then. "My name is Ian, please use that or I will ignore you"

Seems to have worked! :D He still calls everyone else by their surname but its always "Ian" for me.

Re: Surnames as first names
 

Don't loose them in the first place :p

Re: Surnames as first names
 

Thats just being greedy.

Re: Surnames as first names
 

Don't know about our neighbours to the south, but in this part of North America it would come under the heading of "a strange TV thing".

By the way, don't watch too much American TV; that crap will rot the brain.;)

Re: Surnames as first names
 

Amen to that. :D

Re: Surnames as first names
 

You know what they say Margaret God loves a trier:D
as for using surnames suppose its better than them shouting, hey you:D