I had to stop by the pharmacy this morning to pick up a prescription. I, like always, began with “Der Familienname ist Lucas, l-u-C-a-s.” (“The family name is Lucas.”)
I’m an American in the German speaking part of Switzerland, so I do it this way because while Lucas or Luca is a popular first name with boys, when Swiss people hear Lucas as a last name they assume it’s L-U-K-A-S. Many times after I spell it out, emphasizing the C, they’ll still type K.
No matter. Then it’s on to the first name. I know she can see a list of Lucases on her screen, so spelling isn’t necessary; what is necessary is for me to pronounce my name incorrectly.
My first name is Suzanne, like Suzanne Somers.
Aha! They can find me.
Works a treat.
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