# Username vs. Real Name: Doper Etiquette? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 15, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500 "2003-05-15T18:38:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/21 "2003-05-15T20:19:45Z")
If I’m ever lucky enough to go to a DopeFest, I’d be happy with people using my real name or SN - it’s my DJ name, so a lot of people know it and I already answer to it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/22 "2003-05-15T20:20:19Z")
Screen names at every DopeFest I’ve attended. Except for me. My first name isn’t av8r. But you get the idea. **porcupine** , it wouldn’t help, no one remembers what I post. Hell, _I_ usually don’t remember what I post. I think I’d prefer to know some people’s real names. We _are_ real people after all. **Jonathon Chance** , I thought that _was_ your name! ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/23 "2003-05-15T20:30:54Z")
How do you pronounce **dwyr**? I think we said “DWY-er” …like “Dryer” with a lisp. It’s her cat’s name! 🙂 **av8rmike** I always remember your sig! LOL ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/24 "2003-05-15T20:34:58Z")
With my handle here, this is a non-issue for me … although it is an issue with other handles. At the Dope Fest I attended, I think it was a mixed bag. I remember addressing **waterj2** by his real name (and I think of him that way), but **Spiritus\_Mundi** will always be **Spiritus** to me – although I think he used his real name and I remember it. I think I learned **erislover** and **Robot Arm** ’s real names, but I can’t remember them – sorry, guys! I always wonder the same thing when posting, too – it feels strange to refer to other posters (here, or elsewhere online) by their handle if I know their real name, but there it’s more a question of context – if everyone _else_ will know their real name or not. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/25 "2003-05-15T21:05:29Z")
I tend to call people by their screen names until I get to know them better, and then I use their real names. I am a total Dopefest whore, and there are people I have hung out with upwards of 20 times (mostly Bay Area Dopers, from when I lived there, and we had little Dopefests practically every week). Those people are my _real friends_. And I see **CrankyAsAnOldMan** and **Hello Again** all the time. It would be silly at this point not to use their real names. On the other hand, I will always always always call **manhattan** Manny. In my mind, that’s his name. I know it’s not really, but to me it is. You can call me by my screen name or my real name, I don’t care. (Heheh.) ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/26 "2003-05-15T21:22:35Z")
Just call me Sir. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/27 "2003-05-15T21:27:52Z")
I introduce myself by both names, and I generally expect people will call me Michelle because my screen name doesn’t shorten logically to anything but Mom - which I also answer to. I try to link a real name with a screen name when I meet someone, but I’m not always successful. Frankly, I don’t care what anyone calls me. Stand there in silent awe for all I care! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/28 "2003-05-15T21:31:44Z")
At every KosherDopeFest that I went to, I _always_ used my Doper name. I absolutely refuse to use my real name. 😛 😃 Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/29 "2003-05-15T22:34:09Z")
I think some combination of factors operates that includes one’s SN, one’s real name and what, if any, identity you might occupy in another’s mind. It _does_ seem to me that those who are addressed by SN are addressed that way by most people, and those who are addressed by real name tend to be so addressed by most. As with **Balance** , I tend to introduce myself with the SN first, because that’s what you, a newly met 'fester, will know me by, and then add my real name. Heh, I’ve met with Balance at least 3 or 4 times now, and I can’t recall his real name. Similarly, while my name is not difficult, I tend to be addressed by my SN. There are some on this board with whom I’ve met up to 20 times, who know my whole real name, where I live, etc. who still call me Ringo. There’s a handful who continue to call me beatle when we meet. Perhaps however someone logs you in in the first moments of real life acquaintance tends to stick. And, in a group, if you’re addressed one way, others hearing that may be influenced to do the same. Another one comes to mind - I don’t know why, but I tend to think of **porcupine** by her real name, but **Unc** remains Unc to me. Of course, some SNs are unpronounceable, and if I ever meet him at a Dopefest, I hope **Anal Scurvy** tells me his real name. ---
**Author:** ![Lobelia\_Overhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@Lobelia\_Overhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobelia_Overhill)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/30 "2003-05-15T22:49:36Z")
I’d use my online handle till someone asked “so what’s your real name?” ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/31 "2003-05-15T22:53:19Z")
At Dopefests, when I ask someone their name and they answer “Nancy” I look 'em straight in the eye and say “That means absolutely nothing to me.” I have vanishingly small space in my brain and it can only hold one name per person. Seriously, I met **Uke Ike** about three years ago and if pressed and I think really, really hard about it, I can recall his real name. But he’s Ike to me. Remembering Billdo and Eve’s real names is easy! ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/32 "2003-05-15T23:19:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by \*\*scout1222 \*\*\* > I have introduced myself as my board name, and then told them my real name. Whichever they choose is fine with me. I’ll answer to either. > > And in reality, I’m so horrible with names, that I’m probably always going to think of everyone as their board name rather than their real name, unless I get to know 'em real well. Exactly. Also it depends on your level of familiarity… and what other mediums you have contact with people… and whether they use the same handles everywhere… etc. I still refer to **Snooooopy** in person as ‘Snoop’ just because that’s how I met him and still think of him that way even though I’ve spent time with him in person probly 4 or 5 times now and I know his real name perfectly well. I also read his livejournal, in which he uses the same handle, so maybe that reinforces it. But with other posters it differs. Just depends, I guess. It does always feel weird when somebody calls me ‘ **White Lightning** ’ in person. But even the common (online) abbreviation ‘WL’ doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. ---
**Author:** ![100watts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/b487fb/32.png) [@100watts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/100watts)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/33 "2003-05-15T23:26:20Z")
This user name is what I use on most boards. It’s a variation on my real name. So, what most people shorten it to, Watts, is a name I’m used to answering to anyway. Since it’s my last name. Yes, Lsura, I am who you think I am. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/34 "2003-05-15T23:41:29Z")
I give both, and let people call me what they want. They inevitably want to call me by my board name. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/35 "2003-05-15T23:50:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by av8rmike \* > \*\ ***Jonathon Chance** , I thought that _was_ your name! \*\* I get a lot of that. But it’s not. I answer to it, though. I have for almost 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/36 "2003-05-16T00:54:17Z")
That has to be the worst, I can possibly remember one wacky name and one real name, but two realistic names? Not gonna happen. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/37 "2003-05-16T01:04:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gazelle \* > \*\ ***Eve** , eeek! > > Not good. \*\* Especially in New York City. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/38 "2003-05-16T03:50:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ringo \* > Heh, I’ve met with Balance at least 3 or 4 times now, and I can’t recall his real name. It’s John. My middle and last names are equally unremarkable. See why I think Balance is more useful in identifying me? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Emperor\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@Emperor\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emperor_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/39 "2003-05-16T03:51:25Z")
Oh, it’s my nick all the way if I every meet any dopers. “Hi I’m emperor Penguin. Call me Emperor for short.” I think I just like the idea of people calling me emperor… ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/40 "2003-05-16T04:42:38Z")
Well, you’re **Balance** to me; but I’ll see if I can remember to call you John the next time I see you pal. Not likely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500.md?page=3)