Guests with potentially embarrassing names

[Terri38]

In the last few months, I have had a few guests with names that, while probably quite common and genteel in their language, are the sort that would cause a speaker of another language to try and hide a snigger or be offended.  Or if mispronounced (we often take a guess how to pronounce this unfamiliar name we see onscreen in our own language), the name could sound like something worthy of a teenage boy’s locker room.  And the reverse is probably true too. 

If they are only in the country for a week or so, I usually don’t say anything, but as many of my guests arrive here at the start of their 12 month working holiday, I think it should be explained why their name could generate unexpected reactions – just so they are prepared and can think about how to avoid it/deal with it.

Can anyone else add to this or offer advice?

I am not going to post the names here, but the conversations generally run like this:

Guest: My name is X. But if that’s too difficult to say, you can call me [shortened version]

Host: Um… no.  And I would delicately suggest that you don’t ask anyone to do that.  It could be embarrassing.

Guest: ???

Host: [uses online translator]

Guest:  Oh!

Or

Guest asks host for help with bank paperwork and writes his full name.  Unfortunately, he does not have a middle name.

Host, having a rudimentary grasp of guest’s language, notices guest’s first name, last name combo is likely to be pronounced by those unfamiliar with guest’s language as [something you would find in an adult store].  First name = no great problem.  Last name = teenage boys would snigger but adults probably would not.  But put those names together…

Or

Host: How do you pronounce your first name?
Guest: [Pronounces his name, putting the emphasis on the second syllable]

Host: OK… do you have a middle name?
Guest: Yes.  It’s X.

Host: I would recommend that while you are in New Zealand, you use X, rather than [first name] because anyone here, seeing in written would pronounce it like this [Says his name, putting the emphasis on the first syllable] and that means….

Guest: [Has learned enough Latin roots of the English language to realise what I am talking about]. Thank you. I think I will call myself X.

[Cormac0]

@Terri38 

You post has completely lost its impact by not naming names.

[Terri38]

@Cormac0   I see your point but if I did name names, I run the risk of upsetting or embarrassing people with those names.  I have no wish to upset or embarrass anyone.

[Ana1136]

@Terri38 I agree with @Cormac0, give us examples, it's not like we can connect the name with a specific person. I don't think that should be looked as an insult, I know people with that kind of names and they always laugh about it, it is even a conversation starter for them. 

[Anonymous]

@Terri38 I realize that folks on a working holiday tend to be pretty young, maybe experiencing a lot of things for the first time. But they're also adults, so I'd err on the side of assuming they can cope with an immature or awkward reaction to their names. After all, nobody makes it to 18 without enduring adolescent cruelty. 

And also, if people are overprepared for embarrassment it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Having a funny or awkward name need not be humiliating; it can also be a great conversation starter and mood-lightener for travelers in a new place, if they don't take themselves too seriously. I'd only caution people if the name might be mistaken for a very offensive slur, rather than something Bart Simpson might make up when crank-calling Moe's.

[Terri38]

@Anonymous 

Hmm... I never thought about it like that.

And yes, one of the names, when pronounced correctly actually was the same pronunciation as a common racial slur.  He chose to use an English name.