I think I've made a huge mistake

ningmeng
July 23, 2007, 06:02 AM posted in General Discussion

My Chinese name has been 孔宁 since going to college.  Now I'm going to Beijing to study for a year and decided that the old name just wasn't working for me.  Unfortunately, I was thinking about a story my friend wrote in French about a girl named Lemon who fought cyclops while I was filling out the application form.  I wrote down 柠檬 on all my paperwork without really giving it a second thought.  It seemed convenient at the time... there was already a ning in there.  But I'm starting to think image of fighting off French cyclops isn't going to travel over into the minds of other people too well... What do you think? 

Profile picture
John
July 23, 2007, 06:19 AM

The issue is not really about cyclops... your Chinese name is "lemon." Is that what you want?

Profile picture
ningmeng
September 03, 2007, 09:22 PM

won't exactly. thats important. I won't exactly.

Profile picture
kimiik
July 23, 2007, 06:42 AM

What's this french story about Ms lemon and the cyclops. I don't get it. Is it a joke ? ; ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclops

Profile picture
John
July 23, 2007, 07:31 AM

Maybe you just chose the wrong element from the story as your name. Call yourself "cyclops" -- 独眼巨人 (dúyǎn jùrén) -- and you might get some more respect. Oh wait, you might need to poke out an eye, too... · )

Profile picture
Lantian
July 23, 2007, 09:11 AM

冰柠檬茶好喝。。。呵呵 你就换一个吧,在中国很容易改你的名字。那个柠檬不是你的护照的名字。”咖啡“比较强啊,还又甜又苦。:)

Profile picture
tianfeng
July 23, 2007, 09:58 AM

I knew a Chinese guy whose English name was lemon. He sold drugs in Hainan. HE use to introduce him self by saying, "Hello my name is Lemon, I know it is a stupid name in english but I am Chinese and i don't care." He was one messed up dude.

Profile picture
ningmeng
July 23, 2007, 06:41 AM

haha.. well I don't exactly want to give everyone a first impression that I'm an idiot, but I'm pretty happy by my own terms. But I started to worry when my Chinese and her family found out at a dinner party and spent a good while laughing about it.

Profile picture
mattcoq
July 31, 2007, 02:40 AM

Even one I know called himself Panasonic and didn't want to change it ;-)

Profile picture
Lantian
July 31, 2007, 03:12 AM

Quote "My name is Black, because it's cool."

Profile picture
TaiPan
July 31, 2007, 03:19 AM

One of my favorite Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu teachers is nick-named Limon. He's one of Rickson Gracie's black belts. I'd say Lemon's a great name.

Profile picture
ningmeng
September 03, 2007, 09:16 PM

haha, i was too embarassed to look at this post for months. Not that any of you will see it now, but its wonderful to know the drug-dealing expectations you all have for me.

Profile picture
ningmeng
September 03, 2007, 09:22 PM

and though I exactly take fate by the reigns and stab my eye out, I'll keep a lookout for all possible opportunities.

Profile picture
KennyK
July 23, 2007, 12:28 PM

Chinese people sometimes choose some strange English names... I've had students with names like Shine, Rainbow, Apple, Cat...