I've always been just Allison. For a long time I wouldn't let anyone but Mom call me Ali, I didn't want it as a nickname because it rhymes with our last name. I was teased enough I didn't want anyone to have more ammunition with a rhyming name.

Now I don't mind, in fact I usually sign all my emails Ali instead of Allison but I never introduce myself as Ali.

I'm also not picky about how people spell my name unless it's something official.

Amys united!

I also think Amy is a pretty short name, so you're not going to be far off unless you walk up and said "Aimerino" or something bizarre.

And the presumption in addressing, say, an Elizabeth you just met as Beth or Liz is pretty arrogant.

I've always been Kathy (with alternate spelling during my high school and college years), but I'll occasionally use Kathryn when I call for work stuff, and my sister always calls me Kat (and sometimes Kit-Kat).

Well, I don't have a canonical expanded version, so that helps.

Oh no! You mean it's not "Nanita" as I had always hoped??

And the presumption in addressing, say, an Elizabeth you just met as Beth or Liz is pretty arrogant.

Completely.

I once had to deal with a woman who refused to accept that I was a woman with a "man's name". Just wouldn't accept it - I'd talk to her on the phone and use my name, send her things with my name written ... nope, couldn't be. She calle me "Pat" for the three or so years we had dealings.

The finality of this implies you killed him, which pleases me. Or, like, ripped out his tongue.

Ha! I think that my really, truly losing my temper was enough.

She calle me "Pat" for the three or so years we had dealings.

Some people's brains are really weird.

I remember being dissed when I worked for Software City as a teen by a guy who clearly didn't think a 16 year old chick could help him with his computer issue. "Joe", he was sure could. I loved the look on his face when Jo came up the stairs, especially because she was a scarf-wearing Muslim.

Ha! That's awesome.

I loved the look on his face when Jo came up the stairs, especially because she was a scarf-wearing Muslim.

Heh. Just this image is making me happy.

...I don't care if you call me (realname), meara, or Indy (drag name). I answer to all three. I like all three

I also answer to Teppy, which I use as my board name on FetLife (OH NOES I HAVE CROSSED THE STREAMS). The unfortunate acquaintance who called me "Stephieeeeee" is a kink friend, so it's possible she was conflating "Steph" and "Teppy." And I can see where it might seem inconsistent to be okay with "Teppy," which sounds like a diminutive because of the "-eee" sound at the end, but not with "Stephie." But you know what? It's my fucking name and I get to pick.