Changing one''s name to blend into America...

[Gość: tomboyyz]

Do you think that changing your name so that it blends
in with country your living in is okay? I''ve a friend
who would like to have a more American sounding name,
what do you think?

[Gość: Kompra]

Nie stosuj takich uogolnien ty pastuchu.Nie marnuj
czasu na tym forum .Wracaj do swojej brygady
betoniarskiej (Teodor, Wiedzmin, Eugeniusz, Euzebiusz).

[Gość: Jasiu]

Ja przez dziesiec lat "Jan" juz jestem czyli po angielsku panienka! Niech Polacy swoje ''blending'' od jezyka lepiej
zaczna, bo talentu niestety nam (im) brak. To dopiero jest glupie jak ludzie imiona swoje zmieniaja a wymowic ich
poprawnie nie moga.

[Gość: Maciek S]

Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):

> Do you think that changing your name so that it blends
> in with country your living in is okay? I''''ve a friend
> who would like to have a more American sounding name,
> what do you think?


That''s not about "blending in with country". It is about using name that can be pronounced by Americans. I
had that problem and guess how many pronounciatiotion forms or written forms you can find for name
"Maciej". That''s typical Polish name (not the same as Matthiew which is equivalent to Polish "Mateusz").

I still keep my name and am not angry at people who mispronounce it. I help them with that. Even Maciek
is difficult to them so I softened it that it sounds like "magic" (nothing with magic in it really).

I had this problem even on my official documents which is very troublesome. So what do you think?

Look at name Krzysztof or Krzysiek (Christopher or Chris in English). Guess how one could read that in
the USA? Don''t you think that people feel more comfortable around the person whose name they could
pronounce easily? That''s just about relationships... I believe.


By the way, could we switch to Polish, please? Well, we visit polish forum here so if you know Polish (and
it does not matter how well) then it would be better for everybody if we could continue in our native
language.



Best...

[Gość: tomboyyz]

If I knew Polish I would gladly write in it. My partner is slowly teaching it
to me but it's hard now when my partner is on the other side of the Alantic
Ocean.

[Gość: Magda]

Looking at your email address, it seems that you are in Mons in Belgium. And
Mons is the location of a very good translators and foreign language teacher
schools. You can find another polish language teacher (even among students)
during your girlfriend's journey to the States and make her a nice surprise
when she is back.

Girlfriend?

[Gość: tomboyyz]

Pardon me, but who said anything about a girlfriend?

[Gość: Maciek S]

Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):

> Pardon me, but who said anything about a girlfriend?

Ooops.... Someone confused "partner" with girfriend, I guess.

Okay. I got your problem. I know it could be intimidating to speak Polish either. Try it. If you are affraid then
go ahead and write in English. The only issue is that not all people will understand English... well most
probably "speaka any English" , but let's just say not everybody feels comfortable as probably you don't
with Polish.


Best...

the language barrier

[Gość: tomboyyz]

Big problem on my end. I only know about 30 words in Polish. And 3 of them are
not polite ones...

[Gość: Maciek S]

Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):

> Big problem on my end. I only know about 30 words in Polish. And 3 of them are
> not polite ones...

Okay. Then 10% is pretty much... do not use them Some folks use a lot of those words here so I think
it's enough for everybody.

Do not worry, as you could see some of folks here can cope with the problem and they can communicate
in other language.

Sometimes I wonder if this is good or bad that you do not understand what people write here.
Sometimes I feel ashamed of those... Yes, let's stick to the English.


Best...

to Maciek S

[Gość: Joanna]

Gość portalu: Maciek S napisał(a):

> Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):
>
> > Big problem on my end. I only know about 30 words in Polish. And 3 of them
> are
> > not polite ones...
>
> Okay. Then 10% is pretty much... do not use them Some folks use a lot of th
> ose words here so I think
> it's enough for everybody.
>
> Do not worry, as you could see some of folks here can cope with the problem and
> they can communicate
> in other language.
>
> Sometimes I wonder if this is good or bad that you do not understand what peopl
> e write here.
> Sometimes I feel ashamed of those... Yes, let's stick to the English.
>
>
> Best...

Maciek are you from NJ ? Where ? I live in Elizabeth

[Gość: Maciek S]

Gość portalu: Joanna napisał(a):

> Gość portalu: Maciek S napisał(a):
>
> > Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):
> >
> > > Big problem on my end. I only know about 30 words in Polish. And 3 of
> them
> > are
> > > not polite ones...
> >
> > Okay. Then 10% is pretty much... do not use them Some folks use a lot
> of th
> > ose words here so I think
> > it's enough for everybody.
> >
> > Do not worry, as you could see some of folks here can cope with the proble
> m and
> > they can communicate
> > in other language.
> >
> > Sometimes I wonder if this is good or bad that you do not understand what
> peopl
> > e write here.
> > Sometimes I feel ashamed of those... Yes, let's stick to the English.
> >
> >
> > Best...
>
> Maciek are you from NJ ? Where ? I live in Elizabeth

Yes, I am from New Jersey. Elizabeth? Well... that's not that far. I used to live in Saddle Brook (Bergen
County). I moved to... Well for number of reasons I do not want to give that on Gazeta's forum... too wide
audience if you know what I mean. It is still Bergen County not far from Clifton and Passaic in one of the
safest towns in NJ. You can guess but I'd prefer not to mention locations as many of folks are not on the
level and you never know who reads that.

Let me know if you want to contact me via e-mail. We could arrange something.


Nice to meet you Joanna.

Maciek

[Gość: Joanna]

Gość portalu: Maciek S napisał(a):

> Gość portalu: Joanna napisał(a):
>
> > Gość portalu: Maciek S napisał(a):
> >
> > > Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):
> > >
> > > > Big problem on my end. I only know about 30 words in Polish. And
> 3 of
> > them
> > > are
> > > > not polite ones...
> > >
> > > Okay. Then 10% is pretty much... do not use them Some folks use a
> lot
> > of th
> > > ose words here so I think
> > > it's enough for everybody.
> > >
> > > Do not worry, as you could see some of folks here can cope with the p
> roble
> > m and
> > > they can communicate
> > > in other language.
> > >
> > > Sometimes I wonder if this is good or bad that you do not understand
> what
> > peopl
> > > e write here.
> > > Sometimes I feel ashamed of those... Yes, let's stick to the English.
> > >
> > >
> > > Best...
> >
> > Maciek are you from NJ ? Where ? I live in Elizabeth
>
> Yes, I am from New Jersey. Elizabeth? Well... that's not that far. I used to li
> ve in Saddle Brook (Bergen
> County). I moved to... Well for number of reasons I do not want to give that on
> Gazeta's forum... too wide
> audience if you know what I mean. It is still Bergen County not far from Clifto
> n and Passaic in one of the
> safest towns in NJ. You can guess but I'd prefer not to mention locations as ma
> ny of folks are not on the
> level and you never know who reads that.
>
> Let me know if you want to contact me via e-mail. We could arrange something.
>
>
> Nice to meet you Joanna.
>
> Maciek
Hello Maciek,

I work in Bergen County (Parsippany), and I'm planning to move there also.
If you wish you can write me an e-mail : [e-mail]

Greetings
Joanna

to Maciek & Joanna

[Gość: tomboyyz]

Okay I'm jealous. How come I can't get a date so easily?

[Gość: Maciek S]

Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):

> Okay I'm jealous. How come I can't get a date so easily?

Don't be... Date? It's not a date. Well, it depends what you mean by date. My "dates" are probably past as
I am married. This does not preclude that I can meet people make, talk a lot and make friends. This is a
pleasure of life, right?

Have fun,

M

[Gość: Joanna]

Gość portalu: Maciek S napisał(a):

> Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):
>
> > Okay I'm jealous. How come I can't get a date so easily?
>
> Don't be... Date? It's not a date. Well, it depends what you mean by date. My
> "dates" are probably past as
> I am married. This does not preclude that I can meet people make, talk a lot an
> d make friends. This is a
> pleasure of life, right?
>
> Have fun,
>
> M

Especially when me and Maciek S. seem to have the similiar situation here in US
(NJ) (green card problems, IT market etc).

[Gość: tomboyyz]

Yes I even go tot he 'czat' rooms and find people there can I can talk with.
And sometimes even learn a few more words in Polish.

[Gość: MJP]

Ever heard of Zbigniew Brzezinski?
If you feel like a loser, then go ahead and change it to whatever you want.
Tip: go with somethin' Jewish sounding, perhaps they will give you a chance to
lick their hinds...

[Gość: tomboyyz]

Gość portalu: MJP napisał(a):

> Ever heard of Zbigniew Brzezinski?
> If you feel like a loser, then go ahead and change it to whatever you want.
> Tip: go with somethin' Jewish sounding, perhaps they will give you a chance to
> lick their hinds...

No I have not heard of Brzezinski, sorry. And I don't believe my friend is not
very fond of Jewish people in general so I doubt she would ever change her name
to one like that. I believe she should keep the name she was given by her
parents. It's an easy enough Polish name to pronounce, even an American like me
can say it. But I have a habit of pronoucing the "I" the American way and not
with the 'e' sound that most Europeans use.

[Gość: Mag]

Zbigniew Brzezinski was Jimmy Carter's security advisor and always insisted on
calling him by his given polish name. However, he was nicknamed Zbiggy around
the White House. Currently, he is working for some political think-tank and
you can catch him sometimes talking to Jim Lehrer on PBS.

[Gość: Mr. T]

Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):

> No I have not heard of Brzezinski, sorry. And I don't believe my friend is not
> very fond of Jewish people in general so I doubt she would ever change her name
>
> to one like that. I believe she should keep the name she was given by her
> parents. It's an easy enough Polish name to pronounce, even an American like me
>
> can say it. But I have a habit of pronoucing the "I" the American way and not
> with the 'e' sound that most Europeans use.

So maybe tell us what is the name you are talking about an let us decide than...
My name is Marek and I don't really have any problems with my friends pronouncing
it. Some of them call me simply Mark and I don't mind it at all. As a matter of
fact that's how I'm introducing myself. That's a habit going back to school times
in Poland, when during English classes we were allways using English versions of
our names. People who don't know me may sometimes try to pronounce my name with E
as in EAR, rather then like in EARTH, but that's a minor inconvinience. There are
some traditionally Polish names like: Zdzislaw, Czeslaw, Szczepan etc. which may
be a hell more difficult to handle. In those cases I wouldn't be surprised if
someone was thinking of changing their name...

The name is question...

[Gość: tomboyyz]

Her first name is easy enough as there are smiliar names is the U.S. just the
spelling is different by a letter. The last name is easy for me now since I
have known her for nearly 3 years. I rememer when I first met her and she
showed me her name I was not able say it properly, but I learned quickly. There
are many Poles I work with in NATO who's names I still can not say. Her name is
Skibinska. When she told me it was three parts ... Ski-bin-ska it was easy.
Though if I say it fast, I still say the middle syablle incorrectly.

[Gość: Mr. T]

Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):

> Her first name is easy enough as there are smiliar names is the U.S. just the
> spelling is different by a letter. The last name is easy for me now since I
> have known her for nearly 3 years. I rememer when I first met her and she
> showed me her name I was not able say it properly, but I learned quickly. There
>
> are many Poles I work with in NATO who's names I still can not say. Her name is
>
> Skibinska. When she told me it was three parts ... Ski-bin-ska it was easy.
> Though if I say it fast, I still say the middle syablle incorrectly.

Ok, so now I know what you are talking about. If you want my opinion on last name
change here it is. If you feel that your last name is so hard to pronounce that
it may be a problem in your life, than pick up a new one (The best time to do it
is during the naturalization process). Modifying ones last name just to make it
more pronouncable is kind of funny, because then you make up a name which doesn't
make any sense in any language. As an example... Changing a name "Warszawski"
into "Varshafsky" will make the later being pronounced close to prior in Poland,
but it will still be difficult for people to remember and it will lose it's
authentic flavor and sense. It's much better (IMHO) to change your name to
something like Newman, Brown, Smith or so.
The name Skibinska is relatively easy so if that was me I'd stay with it the way
it is. In addition, being female she may get a new name through marriage. Maybe
become Mrs. Tomboyyz?

[Gość: tomboyyz]

In the end I don't think my friend will change her name. As for the
name 'tomboyyz' that has been my netnick since 1995, and I am quite happy with
my own last name which is "Penn". Though I have had thoughts I changing my
first name to "Gabrielle" because I like the TV Show 'Xenazz:Warrior Princess'
so much. lol

Tongue-twister

[Gość: MJP]

For crying out loud! That's an easy name!
I'm sure you've heard of a classic Polish tongue-twister name-
Brzeczyszczykiewicz. It has 5 syllables and all are difficult to pronunce.

Another point. Some Poles may feel "less" because their names do not sound
Anglo-Saxon, or "typical". They forget that we are Poles and these are OUR
names given to us by our parents. Perhaps some us ought to educate Americans
how to pronunce our names.

A while back, while working at a hospital, I came across physicians from
Pakistan and/or India and guess what! They keep names like
Baharkuratopisokuliat. Now that's difficult to pronunce but if you try- you
will too.

[Gość: spotters]

ZOT ?

[Gość: Gabriela]

Is that her real name?

Her REAL name is...

[Gość: tomboyyz]

> Is that her real name?

Of course not, it was just an example. Her real name is something else. I don't
think my friend would be my friend any longer if I used her real name.

Your friend is idiot.

[Gość: Adam]

Your friend is idiot.

===================
Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):
> Do you think that changing your name so that it blends
> in with country your living in is okay? I''ve a friend
> who would like to have a more American sounding name,
> what do you think?

[Gość: tomboyyz]

An idiot? with a Masters degree in Computer Science! I think not!

[Gość: why NoT?]

Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):

> An idiot? with a Masters degree in Computer Science! I
think not!

A tobie sie wydaje ze idiota nie morze miec a
Masters degree in Computer Science!

Ja widzialem idiotow z PhD!

RE

[Gość: MP]

You can change your names, but that will not change who you are, you will
always strick out like sore thumbs. Changing your name will not turn you into
Americans!!!
On another note, a lot of you don't write very well in English, I suggest you
work on that, it will help you blend in much more than changing your name in a
useless attempt to kiss up to Uncle Sam.

Regards

American Education system sucks

[Gość: tomboyyz]

Not being able to write English well doesn't mean much, except a better job in
some cases. Hell, look at the American education system. We seriously suck at
teaching our future generations. I supposed that is why we keep letting such
large numbers of people to work and to become citizens. Not that I mind, after
all that is why my partner is in the U.S. but if my partner is not able to stay
I have thought of trying to move to Poland myself. Of course that could prove
difficult.

[Gość: Maciek S]

Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):

> Not being able to write English well doesn't mean much, except a better job in
> some cases. Hell, look at the American education system. We seriously suck at
> teaching our future generations. I supposed that is why we keep letting such
> large numbers of people to work and to become citizens. Not that I mind, after
> all that is why my partner is in the U.S. but if my partner is not able to stay
>
> I have thought of trying to move to Poland myself. Of course that could prove
> difficult.

Unfortunatelly... you are right about certain things. I'm not sure why, but not too many folks commit to get
good education. That's even not the matter of money. I know from my wife who is student at Bergen
Community College that there are good teachers and plenty of interesting classes that prepare well for
professional work and give a lot of knowledge. Unfortunatelly, she told me that most of folks do not use
that and doing the homework is the last important thing to them plus they even can't manage that. It is
really easy to get to deans list... she is although she still is not that fluent in English, but she put much
work into her major.... well, seems to be much enough. I think that expectations and criteria from
education system are too low.

What I found recently, which was funny to me, US immigration - INS also sees the problem with
educated immigrants (for example software engineers with MSCS) because they compromise US
education system... by having too high level of education (and degrees) frequently wider (multidiscipline).
So too educated folks are also problem to US immigration, but this wasn't not emphasized yet or widely
discussed.


As to imigration to Poland. I do not know... Keep your mind open. Life on two continents could also be
arranged... I hope.

learning Polish, decline of US

[Gość: tomboyyz]

Well, I'm working on learning Polish just in case I do decide to try and go
live in Poland. Europe seems to be a lot calmer thent he US is these days. Some
days I just feel like the cork is about to pop in the US. As I see it, all
great nations come to an end sometime, and I think the US time is near.

[Gość: ........]

I think that changing names is someone's own decision.
I would compare it to changing one's hair color etc.
It doesn't change a person. What about changing our
faces? If we want to be as somebody else we
should do something about them too, don't you
think so?

[Gość: Lechita]

Gość portalu: tomboyyz napisał(a):

> Do you think that changing your name so that it blends
> in with country your living in is okay? I''ve a friend
> who would like to have a more American sounding name,
> what do you think?


Whats an american sounding name? There are so many nationalities there that I
have no idea what an american sounding name is. A protestant anglo-saxon sounding
name? You are a racist.

[Gość: Gabriela]

> Do you think that changing your name so that it blends
> in with country your living in is okay? I''ve a friend
> who would like to have a more American sounding name,
> what do you think?

Maybe your friend just doesn't like her name and is wants to change it because of
other reasons instead of 'just' trying to blend in... Perhaps she doesn't like
her family very much. Many Americans do that if they don't like there family or
don't wish people to find them. Which brings up the point, maybe this friend is
bad.