# When you meet someone for the first time, what obvious thing do they point out? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 7, 2007, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156 "2007-05-07T21:34:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/101 "2007-05-09T05:43:11Z")
“Do you always wear a Viking helmet?” ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/102 "2007-05-09T06:48:44Z")
My real name is not common. Q: What kind of name is that? A: It’s an American name. I am an American. Q: No, but I mean before you were an American. A: I have always been an American. Q: But I mean where your people come from. A: New Jersey? ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/103 "2007-05-09T06:55:58Z")
[QUOTE=badbadrubberpiggy] Ugh. I get this. Like I’m supposed to be sitting at my computer working with a giant, mindless grin on my face. Apparently, if I’m not actively smiling, I look very sad. [/QUOTE] Ah, but if you’re sitting at your computer smiling, people assume you’re Doing Something You Should Not! Ain’t no winnin’, with some people. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/104 "2007-05-09T13:45:56Z")
[QUOTE=MJinks] It seems a lot of people have trouble with my surname. Jinks. It’s really not that unusual, especially around this area. [/QUOTE] Does anyone ever ask you if you are Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines? ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/105 "2007-05-09T14:26:32Z")
When I tell people I’m 21 the most common reaction is something like “No, way, you _can’t_ be 21 yet.” To which I respond: “You’re right, I’m lying for no good reason.” ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/106 "2007-05-09T14:53:05Z")
There’s a pizza chain whose name is almost identical to my surname. People always ask if I’m related. ---
**Author:** ![ForumBot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/107 "2007-05-09T14:54:24Z")
I knew a fellow whose lastname was Papajohn. He got the same thing all the time. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/108 "2007-05-09T15:02:39Z")
[QUOTE=Tarkovsky] I get this a lot, as well as “What’s wrong?” Of course, I provide a double whammy: I’ve been told that I have a somber look on my face and a sad tone to my voice. It doesn’t make any sense to me–in general, I’m one of those sickeningly optimistic people. [/QUOTE] I used to get this occasionally, when I was younger, from customers when I was bagging groceries or waiting tables. I was always polite, but not the “big phony smile and friendly banter” kind of guy, and some people just aren’t happy with anything less and make it their mission to find out what’s “wrong” with you if you aren’t as ebullient as Ned Flanders. I must’ve been a pretty dour kid, though, because I distinctly remember visiting my grandparents when I was seven or so, and having my grandmother say to my mom something like “Little Turnip is _smiling_ today… what’s _wrong_?” [QUOTE=NoClueBoy] “Do you always wear a Viking helmet?” [/QUOTE] So you’re Flavor Flav, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/109 "2007-05-09T15:09:31Z")
I get the “You’re quiet” thing too. It really, really bothers me - people act like it’s some kind of handicap or like there’s something wrong with me. It has gotten to the point where I don’t socialize all that much anymore - unless it’s with people I already know. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/110 "2007-05-09T15:10:10Z")
Busted! ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/111 "2007-05-09T15:37:38Z")
[QUOTE=F. U. Shakespeare] There’s a pizza chain whose name is almost identical to my surname. People always ask if I’m related. [/QUOTE] My last name is the same as that of an actor. People always ask if we are related and they all seem to think they are the first to ask the question. I’m used to it now. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/112 "2007-05-09T15:38:49Z")
[QUOTE=F. U. Shakespeare] There’s a pizza chain whose name is almost identical to my surname. People always ask if I’m related. [/QUOTE] Oh, [cousin of yours?](http://starwars.wikia.com/images/2/22/Jabbarotj.jpg) :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![ForumBot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/113 "2007-05-09T16:00:09Z")
I know one actor with the last name Papajohn, but he’s more of a stunt double than an actor. I think his biggest role was doubling for Adam Sandler in The Waterboy. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/114 "2007-05-09T18:03:16Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] My real name is not common. Q: What kind of name is that? \ [/QUOTE] The correct response to this is, “It’s Yossarian’s name, sir.” Then leave while they’re standing there figuring it out, or crack up with them if they get it. ---
**Author:** ![nevermore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a587f6/32.png) [@nevermore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevermore)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/115 "2007-05-09T21:50:59Z")
I don’t think I’ve ever met someone whose eyes didn’t immediately widen upon hearing my first name, to be followed by “[Firstname]? Like the bird??” Sometimes, when feeling particularly prickly, I’ve said “No, like the person.” This rarely affects their goofy grins. There are also numerous pop-culture references, one of which involves the theme song to an annoying television show. On discovering my name, strangers actually sing this occasionally. Insert forced laughter and stabbiness here. My last name is pretty unusual as well. It also, unfortunately, has a corresponding pop-culture reference. “Hey, did you ever know there was a show called [BLAH]???” Do people ever stop to think that maybe they AREN’T the first person to ever remark on something so RIDICULOUSLY obvious? ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/116 "2007-05-09T21:57:52Z")
> [@](#): > > The correct response to this is, “It’s Yossarian’s name, sir.” Then leave while they’re standing there figuring it out, or crack up with them if they get it. Tragically, I usually can’t say anything because I have horse-chestnuts in my cheeks. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/117 "2007-05-09T22:18:44Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] Tragically, I usually can’t say anything because I have horse-chestnuts in my cheeks. [/QUOTE] Well, it’s okay - they match the flies in your eyes. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156/118 "2007-05-10T15:44:31Z")
And, of course, for years I got; “What are you smiling/so happy about?” Because the world is never happy it seems. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-meet-someone-for-the-first-time-what-obvious-thing-do-they-point-out/403156.md?page=5)