Vocabulary

to insist

startled

an incident

sensitive

virtually

a thicker skin

to handle something

Factual questions

1. Why does this woman's friend call her "Mrs. Whatcha-ma-doodle"? What does "whatcha-ma-doodle" mean?

2. Do all her friends call her by this name?

3. Why was her friend's mother-in-law startled?

4. How did the writer correct her friend?

5. What did another friend tell her about this incident?

Cultural notes

A glance through any telephone book for any city in the United States will show the variety of last names and the range of languages and countries they represent. Yet many immigrants have changed their names. What reasons can you think of to keep or change one's name?

Discussion

1. Do you agree with the writer—that, with a little effort, any name can be pronounced more or less correctly?

2. Have you ever had your name mispronounced by a foreigner? What was your reaction? Did you draw attention to it and try to correct it? What was his or her reaction?

3. Have you ever mispronounced someone's name and then been corrected? How did you feel? Did you make an honest effort to remember the name and to pronounce it correctly?

4. What strategy do you use to hold in your memory a name that you find difficult to remember, to spell or to pronounce?

Writing

Write a letter to Not Mrs. Whatcha-ma-doodle, as if you were Ann Landers, and advise her how to handle this situation.

From the desk of Ann Landers

Dear Not Mrs.,

No name is unpronounceable for those who make an honest effort to pronounce it. That clod who insists on calling you Mrs. Whatcha-ma-doodle is letting you know that you aren't worth the trouble. The next time she does it, keep the smile off your face and the laughter out of your voice. Tell her if she refuses to learn how to pronounce your name, you will be happy to pronounce it for her—any time.

Discussion

1. Do you agree that the "clod" is letting the woman know that she isn't worth the trouble? What other reasons might there be for her inability to pronounce the name?

2. Do you think Ann Landers' suggestion will work? Why or why not? What should Not Mrs. do if it doesn't?

Situation 2.

Doesn't Care to Share

Dear Ann Landers,

Recently my husband and I had dinner at a Japanese steak house with two other couples. As is customary, we were seated around the

cooking area enjoying ourselves. We all ordered a glass of plum wine. A young woman seated nearby asked if the wine was good. I replied, "Yes." She then asked me, "May I taste yours?" I hesitated, reluctant to share my glass with her. Another woman in our group then passed her wine. The stranger took a sip, said, "Thank you, it's delicious," then passed the glass back.

My husband felt I was ungracious for not sharing my glass with her and told me, "Mrs. C really showed you up." Was I impolite, as my husband claims?

Mrs. X