My son is in high school and is going to be an exchange student in Sweden next year.
Our family background is Swedish. His first name is a typical American name, but his middle name is Swedish, and our last name is Swedish.
For example, John Sture Andersson.
Nobody calls him Sture in the US; people can’t pronounce it. But he has been asking Swedish people who he’s met (so far, as part of the exchange program process) to call him Sture.
Is that weird; if he asks people in Sweden to call him Sture, will Swedes make fun of him or think that his request is bizarre, since he is called John in the US? And is the name “Sture” a nice name?
Thanks.
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The original was posted on /r/sweden by /u/CraftAccomplished784 at 2024-03-27 13:08:14+00:00.
bran_is_evil at 2024-03-27 13:27:27+00:00 ID:
kwsm7sc
I think people missed the part about John Sture Andersson not being your son’s actual name. But FYI, most american names will do fine in Sweden.
pillevinks at 2024-03-27 14:26:21+00:00 ID:
kwsvuxe
Except Theo
Bug_Photographer at 2024-03-27 13:32:08+00:00 ID:
kwsmxs9
My name is Carl Henrik and go by Calle (which is to Carl what Jim is to James or Joe is to Joseph).
My son’s name is Carl Daniel and he goes by Daniel and nobody bats an eye about this in Sweden. Ever.
There has been some confusion when being abroad on vacation, but not here. If he says his name is Sture than people will call him Sture exactly the same way they would call him Johnny instead of John if he said he preferes that.
In fact, since Carl is such a common name to add on as a name that has been in the family here (with so many kings named Carl), it happens quite often when it’s my turn at the dentist and the nurse calls out my name, they assume I go by Henrik and say that and I have to tell I prefer Calle - even though Henrik is my middle name.
FifaPointsMan at 2024-03-27 13:47:31+00:00 ID:
kwsph19
I think in Sweden is one of the few countries where the order of the names doesn’t matter, rather you have a tilltalsnamn, which can be any name in the order. I am not sure how to translate tilltalsnamn to english, google gives me nothing. Also, John is quite a common name in Sweden too.
mymoama at 2024-03-27 15:58:09+00:00 ID:
kwtdgjp
Many ppl have 2 names in Sweden. You pick what name you want to use yourself and no one else (if you are an adult)
DEADLYVENOMABUSER at 2024-03-27 15:00:22+00:00 ID:
kwt2xat
Id like to add, Sture is a cool ass name!
Godmodex2 at 2024-03-27 15:11:15+00:00 ID:
kwt4oem
People have allready answered that it´s perfectly fine to use the middlename but I´d like to mention that sometimes people use both names. In this case it would be John-Sture which has a nice ring to it, in my opinion.
It´s not totally uncommon to name your kid with your own name and sometimes people even mix in names that´s usally a name reserved for the opposite gender which makes for pretty nice combination. Here´s some examples.
Maj-Gull, Anna-Lisa, Marie-Louise, Per-Albin, Karl-Axel, Jan-Erik.
Like I said sometimes people mix gender specific names, It´s rare though but not unheard of.
Anna-Göran and Maja-Erik
Goblinweb at 2024-03-27 15:16:16+00:00 ID:
kwt61i8
If he introduces himself as his middle name that’s what he’s likely to be called.
But Swedes also like pet names so if his name is Karl then he might be called Kalle or if his name is Lars then he might be called Lasse.
CSharpDev_ at 2024-03-27 13:18:22+00:00 ID:
kwskuii
First of all, I am not sure what a nice name entails, it’s just a name. But to someone like me who is born in the 90’s I’d assume a person with the name Sture is 60+.
He can be called whatever he wants. Most people wouldn’t bat an eye if he introduces himself as Sture even though his legal name is John Sture Andersson. Many Swedes have a middle name that serves as their “first” name if you will. In Swedish we call it “Tilltalsnamn” e.g. “The name you are called by other people”. I’d be more concerned if he’d be able to consistently answer to the name Sture if he spent all his life being called John(which is also a common name here because of the biblical influence on Sweden).
Swedes in general aren’t as bothered with the whole American idea of being 10% X 45 % Y. We won’t consider you Swedish just because you have Swedish heritage. A Swede is someone who understands our cultural norms, speaks the language, understands the humor and non verbal cues. Not someone who’s grandmothers grandmother grandmother was Swedish. So my only recommendation to your son is to not call himself Swedish. He is American with Swedish heritage.
I hope he enjoys his time here. Tell him to bring a warm jacket that can handle rain and snow as well as proper shoes and he ought to be fine.
TheWhyWhat at 2024-03-27 14:03:31+00:00 ID:
kwsrzxu
Yep, my first name is my dad’s name, and my actual name is one of my middle names. Causes a lot of confusion at hospitals when a doctor steps into the waiting room and calls my dad’s name.
Clopenny at 2024-03-27 14:42:50+00:00 ID:
kwsyq5i
I have the same issue. Will forever damn my parents for that.
Fapping-sloth at 2024-03-27 16:11:35+00:00 ID:
kwtep8p
Same for me!
Gernahaun at 2024-03-27 16:07:36+00:00 ID:
kwtdzcx
Hiya, buddy! Are you me?
simenfiber at 2024-03-27 16:12:00+00:00 ID:
kwterzk
A friend of mine’s first name is Olav but he goes by his middle name. His father’s middle name is Olav. When he was still living with his parents I called his house and his mother picked up. I asked to speak with Olav and she replied: There’s nobody named Olav here. I excused myself and hung up.
rbajter at 2024-03-27 15:53:11+00:00 ID:
kwtbd55
Folkbokföringen actually records your tilltalsnamn if you have multiple names. But that info is sometimes lost when exported to other systems. I have the same situation with my tilltalsnamn being the second of three names. I believe the names are recorded in alphabetical order.
IdunSigrun at 2024-03-27 16:03:33+00:00 ID:
kwtd98x
No, your parents chose the order of your names. My tilltalsnamn is also my middle name. I asked my parents why and they just said that the order just sounded better.
rbajter at 2024-03-27 16:07:01+00:00 ID:
kwtdvob
Cool. Turns out you can change the order if you want:
ändra ordningsföljd mellan dina förnamn
WrongEggplant6098 at 2024-03-27 16:19:01+00:00 ID:
kwtg24s
I asked my parents the same question and got that answer aswell, a little bit confusing :)
rabbitlion at 2024-03-27 16:14:13+00:00 ID:
kwtg6zu
It’s supposed to have information about tilltalsnamn, but that information is missing for quite a lot of people. If you have problems with companies using the first name in order even though you go by the second, make sure you actually have set it correctly in the registry.
Perzec at 2024-03-27 14:50:08+00:00 ID:
kwt00sj
I’ve had another interesting experience; my first name is also what I’m called. But once in a hospital they tried calling me first by my second name and then third name, before they tried with my first name. I have no idea why.
MillenniumBandit at 2024-03-27 15:01:36+00:00 ID:
kwt22nw
In hospitals and dentist’s office they always call me by my middle name! It’s so weird! I’ve never used my middle name in any context. It’s incidentally my best friend’s name as well, so I never get used to it.
I never understood why.
It might’ve happened at some government branches aswell, like the police and some embassy or consulate. But at the doctor’s, always!
Amiesama at 2024-03-27 16:23:57+00:00 ID:
kwtgz0v
They can note in the journal system what name is to be used. Maybe someone noted that in your journal by mistake?
turquoise_turtle83 at 2024-03-27 14:12:23+00:00 ID:
kwsthai
Totally agree on all of this.
Also, never met anyone named Sture who is below 70 yo. If he wants to blend in as much as possible, he should go with John for sure. But its not a problem if he wants to go with Sture, just be prepared it might raise the occational question.
Poustimou at 2024-03-27 15:12:38+00:00 ID:
kwt40s3
Sture was an EXAMPLE…
SwedishTiger at 2024-03-27 15:13:14+00:00 ID:
kwt44mg
I’ve met a bunch of children named Sture, it’s getting popular again.
CraftAccomplished784 (OP) at 2024-03-27 13:24:14+00:00 ID:
kwslq8h
Tack
CSharpDev_ at 2024-03-27 13:43:25+00:00 ID:
kwsoph0
Of course. I hope your son will enjoy his time here and I hope he will feel welcomed and no one will be happier than me if he can develop a love for our neck of the woods and in extension feel connected to his heritage. :)
CraftAccomplished784 (OP) at 2024-03-27 13:56:16+00:00 ID:
kwsqssr
Tack. Vi älskar Sverige!
Stoltlallare at 2024-03-27 14:14:54+00:00 ID:
kwstwoz
Yep I do. I got 3 first names. X Y Z but my last name, the Z is my spoken name.
Tricky_Potatoe at 2024-03-27 14:46:51+00:00 ID:
kwszfxa
By your definition, half our population isn’t Swedish, you absolute clown.
Rullstolsboken at 2024-03-27 15:21:53+00:00 ID:
kwt5on1
Yupp, I have three names two last names and my tilltalsnamn is my second name
dkbe1983 at 2024-03-27 15:58:18+00:00 ID:
kwtcb4b
Yes! This sums it up perfectly.
Obligatorium1 at 2024-03-27 14:19:13+00:00 ID:
kwsumze
Swedes in general aren’t as bothered with the whole American idea of being 10% X 45 % Y. We won’t consider you Swedish just because you have Swedish heritage. A Swede is someone who understands our cultural norms, speaks the language, understands the humor and non verbal cues. Not someone who’s grandmothers grandmother grandmother was Swedish. So my only recommendation to your son is to not call himself Swedish. He is American with Swedish heritage.
I’d like to note that this isn’t really a standardised opinion that everyone can be expected to share. There are unfortunately plenty of people who will demand “Swedish blood” to consider someone a Swede, and personally I don’t care at all about cultural norms, language or whatever. To me, someone is a Swede if they live in Sweden, have previously lived in Sweden for a significant portion of their life, or have Swedish citizenship. Beyond that, they can exclusively speak Swahili for all I care.
henfodi at 2024-03-27 14:37:38+00:00 ID:
kwsxtad
What is the point of the distinction then? Why not call everyone Swedish if it fills no practical purpose? I think the cultural distinction is the only useful one.
My girlfriends best friend is adopted from Rwanda, she is as Swedish as you can be (in response to the line about Swedish blood, whatever that means).
But calling someone who “just” lives here Swedish fills no purpose. Like you get no information that is not conveyed by just saying “lives in Sweden”. Being something is about identity, not location.
bobbylaserbones at 2024-03-27 14:46:55+00:00 ID:
kwszgd6
Lol if you have a swedish passport you’re of course swedish, don’t be silly.
Precioustooth at 2024-03-27 14:57:07+00:00 ID:
kwt19ro
What if you have double citizenship and only have it for convenience? Not really disagreeing per se, but it should at least be required that you identify as “Swedish”. You may be Polish and move here at 50, then after five years become a citizen while identifying entirely as Polish. That’s not “being Swedish” to me
Obligatorium1 at 2024-03-27 16:16:11+00:00 ID:
kwtfjd8
What if you have double citizenship and only have it for convenience? Not really disagreeing per se, but it should at least be required that you identify as “Swedish”. You may be Polish and move here at 50, then after five years become a citizen while identifying entirely as Polish. That’s not “being Swedish” to me
Why can’t you be both Swedish and Polish at the same time?
I think it’s much more reasonable to separate personal identity from outside perception. No one but you get to decide your own personal identity, and you can pick that at random if that’s what you want. It just doesn’t mean other people have to view you the same way as you view yourself.
Precioustooth at 2024-03-27 16:25:00+00:00 ID:
kwth5zi
He can be, but only if he considers himself to be that way. The basic requirements for group membership should at least be:
- that you consider yourself part of the group
- that others that are members of this group consider you a fellow member
I will never be Swedish if I don’t see myself that way nor will I be if people that are Swedish don’t consider me to be. I would also not be an African-American simply because I choose to see myself that way because people that are actually African-American would never view me as a group member. Of course it’s arbitrary when you “get” to belong to a certain group but there is some degree of requirement
henfodi at 2024-03-27 14:54:21+00:00 ID:
kwt0rsb
Having a Swedish passport is a pretty big reduction from what the comment above me described.
Also there is a discussion to be had in wheather Swedes should get Swedish passports or if you become a Swede from getting the passport. I tend towards the former as I see no reason to introduce people who have no interest in being part of the cultural sphere to the citizenry. There are many opinions about this however. If my friend who lives in Switzerland gets a child there who is raised Swiss I see no practical reason to call them Swedish even though they probably would be entited to Swedish citizenship.
I think fundamentally you have to chose to be part of the culture. That is however my opinion.
bobbylaserbones at 2024-03-27 14:59:55+00:00 ID:
kwt1rwj
If you live in sweden you’re gonna have some form of residence or citizenship is what I meant.
Why would you call a Swiss person swedish? That’s something a yank would do
henfodi at 2024-03-27 15:07:13+00:00 ID:
kwt32a8
I disagree with the passport (or another administrative document) “making” anyone anything but that is again a matter of opinion.
Like if a person has perfect cultural and linguistic understanding but no documents is more Swedish than the description the commenter above described who just speaks Swahili but has a passport.
bobbylaserbones at 2024-03-27 15:37:36+00:00 ID:
kwt8i6h
No, a yank who likes meatballs and “feels connected” to Sweden is not more swedish than Somali Momo and his swedish passport. He is just a distant descendant of swedes. If momo has swedish citizenship his passport will say “Swede”, regardless of Yankee feelings about genealogy.
If momo flies home to Somalia, and they ask where he lives, he says Stockholm, is he not then a Stockholmer? And if he resides in Sweden isn’t he swedish.
Precioustooth at 2024-03-27 14:55:10+00:00 ID:
kwt0x2p
I’m a Dane who lives here currently and please please PLEASE do not consider me Swedish
Obligatorium1 at 2024-03-27 16:14:23+00:00 ID:
kwtf7gp
Sorry, I will consider you Swedish (and probably Danish too, since it sounds like you spent a lot of your life in Denmark and possibly have a Danish citizenship). That doesn’t mean you have to do it as well, though. You can consider yourself a Dane, a Great Dane or an Oompa Loompa if you want - I have no stake in that.
Precioustooth at 2024-03-27 16:27:15+00:00 ID:
kwthlat
But I don’t see myself as Swedish, thus I cannot be a part of this identity (is what I argue anyway). Doesn’t mean I have anything at all against Sweden or Swedish people, don’t get me wrong… If Jehova’s Witnesses view me as a member of their cult for whatever reason it doesn’t mean that I become a part of that identity just on that basis.
SuspiciousBoat at 2024-03-27 15:03:56+00:00 ID:
kwt2hj2
Oh we’d rather die before calling a Dane Swedish
Precioustooth at 2024-03-27 15:09:14+00:00 ID:
kwt3f3v
Thank you, I appreciate that!
GSPM18 at 2024-03-27 14:33:50+00:00 ID:
kwsx5kc
If an American exchange student who’s never lived in Sweden and doesn’t speak Swedish calls himself Swedish, people will find him weird.
Jacc3 at 2024-03-27 14:38:26+00:00 ID:
kwsxya7
Basically nobody would demand “Swedish blood”. The question is rather if you need to adhere to Swedish cultural norms to be considered Swedish, or if a citizenship is enough.
Obligatorium1 at 2024-03-27 16:11:55+00:00 ID:
kwterf1
Basically nobody would demand “Swedish blood”.
Wouldn’t it be grand if that were true?
The question is rather if you need to adhere to Swedish cultural norms to be considered Swedish, or if a citizenship is enough.
Sure, that’s what you think. Others will disagree. As stated, to me questions of culture and heritage are irrelevant - and citizenship isn’t a requirement. To me, it’s a question of residence and personal history (i.e. it doesn’t matter where your ancestors lived, but where you lived).
Additional_Onion2784 at 2024-03-27 15:13:38+00:00 ID:
kwt47cf
Do you understand that not all people consider being Swedish the highest honor imaginable? Quite a lot of people of the kind you describe don’t consider themselves Swedish at all, and are perfectly happy being whatever nationality they are.
Obligatorium1 at 2024-03-27 16:08:52+00:00 ID:
kwte7ic
Do you understand that not all people consider being Swedish the highest honor imaginable? Quite a lot of people of the kind you describe don’t consider themselves Swedish at all,
Sure, but we weren’t talking about people’s personal identities, but rather how others will define them. If you live in Sweden, I will consider you a Swede. Some will require you to have a Swedish heritage. Others will require you to adhere to some nebulous “Swedish culture”, whatever that is. Your personal identity is an entirely different matter, because no one can decide that but you.
are perfectly happy being whatever nationality they are.
Pick a leg to stand on. Should we consider what people define themselves as, or is there an objective nationality that you either belong to or don’t, regardless of what anyone thinks abou it? Because by saying they are happy “being whatever nationality they are”, you are defining them as unequivocally one specific nationality - regardless of their identity, or how others perceive them.
bobbylaserbones at 2024-03-27 14:45:37+00:00 ID:
kwsz82a
No, in Sweden nobody is gonna consider a yank swedish cos his great grandma went on a boat ride to the corn colony in the 1800s.
We aren’t fixated with genetics and color like yanks.
Lol nobody gonna demand “swedish blood”, gtfo here with that yankoid nazi shit, SÄPO will probably register your opinion if you express that one.
Obligatorium1 at 2024-03-27 16:10:17+00:00 ID:
kwtegof
We aren’t fixated with genetics and color like yanks.
Lol nobody gonna demand “swedish blood”, gtfo here with that yankoid nazi shit, SÄPO will probably register your opinion if you express that one.
Go ahead and read a random thread at Flashback, or why not even a random post in Sweddit about muslims or whatever (at least before the moderators get there and clean it up), and you’ll find plenty of people who talk about Swedish blood and other “yankoid nazi shit” (incidentally, “yankoid” sounds like some pretty nazi shit to me).
bobbylaserbones at 2024-03-27 16:12:20+00:00 ID:
kwteu4h
Yeah cos some random Nazi on an internet forum is a good indication of the opinion of the general masses 😂
Yankee isn’t a race, sir.
Obligatorium1 at 2024-03-27 16:20:14+00:00 ID:
kwtga5i
… But my argument is that there is no such thing as an “opinion of the general masses” in this issue, because it’s a politically divisive issue.
Yankee isn’t a race, sir.
I agree - because the entire concept of race as applied to humanity is pseudoscientific poppycock. “Yankoid” still sounds like some pretty nazi shit to me, though.
bobbylaserbones at 2024-03-27 16:22:43+00:00 ID:
kwtgqtq
When they stop bombing the rest of us and drag us into their wars for profit I’ll stop insulting then
granistuta at 2024-03-27 15:29:56+00:00 ID:
kwt74e7
Du får nog ta och läsa /u/Obligatorium1 kommentar en gång till,
There are unfortunately plenty of people who will demand “Swedish blood” to consider someone a Swede
ingenstans står det att det var hens åsikter, utan att det finns de som hyser dessa åsikter. Och det stämmer ju, även om det kanske inte är “plenty”.
bobbylaserbones at 2024-03-27 15:32:45+00:00 ID:
kwt7mj1
Och jag försöker förklara för honom att bara nazister skulle tänka så och de är säkert registrerade av Säpo.
Du får nog läsa Bobby laserbens kommentar igen ;)
Det finns folk som tycker alla utlänningar ska utvisas ur Sverige men de representerar förmodligen en väldigt liten minoritet som knappt är värd att nämna.
granistuta at 2024-03-27 15:38:56+00:00 ID:
kwt8qya
Fair enough :)
notyoursocialworker at 2024-03-27 14:34:15+00:00 ID:
kwsx80y
Know a 13 year old called Svante. These kinds of names are making a comeback.
partypangolins at 2024-03-27 16:17:42+00:00 ID:
kwtfte5
I’m an immigrant, so the name has no history for me, but I think Svante sound really cool. Glad it’s (apparently) back in the cycle of names.
doctormirabilis at 2024-03-27 14:51:25+00:00 ID:
kwt091i
kids being named after their grandparents. been going on for a while.
Godmodex2 at 2024-03-27 14:56:46+00:00 ID:
kwt17go
Going on for a while is a bit of an understatement
buybreadinBrussel at 2024-03-27 15:30:27+00:00 ID:
kwt77p5
I met a kid, around 13, named Tage. Awesome names and im glad they are getting a comeback.
amanset at 2024-03-27 15:05:43+00:00 ID:
kwt2sqj
It is a fundamental issue with how Americans use words like ‘Swedish’. I posted a while back in r/AmericaBad trying to explain it to them as they moaned yet again about Europeans not accepting them.
Americans use ‘I’m Swedish’ to refer to ethnicity, Europeans to refer to nationality. Both forms are valid in the areas where they come from as that is how the words are used there. The issue is when speaking to someone who uses the word differently. Each of them using it in what is a completely valid way where they come from causes issues.
I swear none of them got what I was on about.
seezed at 2024-03-27 16:57:44+00:00 ID:
kwtn8g8
This is my exact experience. The same question can have different meanings in different cultures. Which apparently is hard to understand.
I’m Second generation immigrant in Sweden, Iranian parents. If an American asks me I always said Iranian. When back home in Europe I’ll just say Swedish - might add later with Iranian parents depending on context.
Irrethegreat at 2024-03-27 16:54:05+00:00 ID:
kwtmjiq
I get confused because swedish is not an ethnicity as comparable to african american for instance. That would rather be scandinavian. So if we are not talking about the language swedish, or an actual swedish person, the term swedish sure gets confusing.
But it is also understandable. I get annoyed that I can´t say ‘fika’ about eating an inbetween meal (sandwishes and fruit, sometimes yoghurt or porridge, stuff like that). To me, ‘fika’ applies to a wide range of meals with the common thing is that it is not a classical proper complete meal such as dinner or lunch traditionally is. I mean, a sandwich can be eaten like a meal but it´s still not the same IMO… Besides as a side dish of course. But during a ‘fika’ you sit down and eat/drink, usually more than one thing including the beverage if it is other than water, but not as many total ingredients/sides/total nutrition as one would normally have in a meal. So the exceptions would be if you clearly have just one snack on the go or in front of the TV, or just one cup of coffee in the break room without anything more. But where I live now they think ‘mellis’ (which for me is more like ‘snacks’) and ‘fika’ are different. No bun or cake, no fika lol. So if I say ‘fika’ the kids at work think they are getting cake rather than sandwishes. Every single time. Poor things lol. Because it is not ‘mellis’ to me, it’s ‘eftermiddagsfika’.
Spirited-Relief-9369 at 2024-03-27 15:56:30+00:00 ID:
kwtbzbv
Never thought about it, but yeah, that makes sense.
AL3XEM at 2024-03-27 15:30:30+00:00 ID:
kwt7801
Id say in Sweden we say Johan tho and not John.
mackan072 at 2024-03-27 15:38:23+00:00 ID:
kwt8nas
John är väl ändå ett väldigt vanligt namn? Och om något skulle väl ersättningsnamnet vara Johannes, inte “Johan”?
CoconutRumble at 2024-03-27 14:54:45+00:00 ID:
kwt0ua2
A Swede is someone who understands our cultural norms, speaks the language, understands the humor and non verbal cues.
Beautifully laid out!
Mr_White_III at 2024-03-27 13:24:40+00:00 ID:
kwslsky
Well not the best example since John is a more common name than Sture in Swedish.
But yeah he should just tell them he goes by Sture, if people ask why he could say he’s uncle is named John as well so it was easier and now he is used to it.
And no one would question it.
juliusonly at 2024-03-27 15:51:26+00:00 ID:
kwtb1hr
He could even say that he uses it in Sweden since it’s more fun that way or whatever, nobody would care
Katzura at 2024-03-27 13:21:13+00:00 ID:
kwsl9wy
It is perfectly normal to not have the first name on the passport to be the name you are called.
I myself have my “middle name” as my tilltallsnamn.
MrTonfisk at 2024-03-27 13:39:10+00:00 ID:
kwso163
Same. It felt weird to be called by my first name in the US, but I understood that it’s their norm.
wonthaveaname at 2024-03-27 13:45:38+00:00 ID:
kwsp29a
It’s literally the norm here in Sweden as well. People will call you by the name you introduce yourself as, which is usually your first name.
MrTonfisk at 2024-03-27 13:56:42+00:00 ID:
kwsqvd2
Obviously, I did not say against that.
Edit: I think it’s from ordering stuff and you first name is shown first.
Herranee at 2024-03-27 14:20:41+00:00 ID:
kwsuvtu
Yeah, but it’s not unusual over here if someone’s first name is different from their tilltalsnamn.
juliusonly at 2024-03-27 15:49:52+00:00 ID:
kwtar3x
Not quite, the norm is to be called your “tilltalsnamn”. It is even registered with Skatteverket if you want so that all governmental contact will refer to you by that name. For private businesses you can typically choose the name when you register. When you introduce yourself to someone you use your tilltalsnamn. Basically the only exception is when a company reaches out to you by their own initiative.
tommyland666 at 2024-03-27 16:52:25+00:00 ID:
kwtm84f
Even then, I can’t remember a single instance of someone calling me by first name. It’s always the middle name that I actually use. And I’m soon 40. Now that I think about it, it’s kinda weird it has never happened.
doctormirabilis at 2024-03-27 14:53:05+00:00 ID:
kwt0ji4
yes. i did have some (minor) issues with this though, when travelling to/from the us. ticket said my name, but passport obvs has another name listed first. annoying american airport cop on a power-trip made a fuss.
Arkeolog at 2024-03-27 15:30:04+00:00 ID:
kwt75ah
You should always fill in your full, official name the way it’s written on your passport when buying an airplane ticket. Anything else is asking for problems when going through passport control.
doctormirabilis at 2024-03-27 16:18:38+00:00 ID:
kwtfziq
probably right. never ever had any issues though, except when flying OUT OF the u.s.
_ballora_0 at 2024-03-27 14:43:12+00:00 ID:
kwsz4b6
The name “Sture” is a name that’s a bit joke related in Sweden but still very popular. Kinda like the name “Arne”. John is also a pretty popular name in Sweden and there’s even a game called “Följa John”.
spiderduckling at 2024-03-27 14:05:10+00:00 ID:
kwsseqv
If he introduces himself by his middle name they’re obviously going to call him that. He doesn’t have to do the whole “yeah it’s actually my middle name” spiel.
Many swedes have their middle name as their main name, it’s obviously not as common as using your first name but it happens. I have three people in my family who do haha
Edit: two people, I just remembered my brother just changed his name
fluffigtrov93 at 2024-03-27 13:44:39+00:00 ID:
kwspd68
Why would it be bizarre? Why on earth would one have 2 names if not for doing whatever they want with them? I think it’s nice to have options, and even nicer to utilize them. I only have one name, which is Hungarian, and people are always having a hard time pronouncing it. I would be glad to have Sture as an option. 😁
Also I’m kind of curious how Americans were trying to pronounce Sture, I bet there were some really funny outcomes.
Love-Laugh-Play at 2024-03-27 14:56:55+00:00 ID:
kwt1uuu
It’s not weird since many people use their middle name as their primary name. But John is common in Sweden too although sound a bit different.
drArsMoriendi at 2024-03-27 13:32:30+00:00 ID:
kwsmzu6
It’s very common in Swedish that your first name isn’t the first name written on your passport. Many people are called by their second or third first names.