If your name is Koch, it's pronounced cock. And if your name is Boehner, it's pronounced boner. They can always change their names if they want. Until then ... I'm calling it like it is.
Nope. Do not agree with this. Naming is a central feminist tenet - the right to be called by the name you pick and not called by other names is SO IMPORTANT. Words mean things.
I have a right to be called by my last name even though I'm married, and I have a right not to be called "sweetheart" or "hon" by supervisors and sales people.
This is a dignity and a sign of basic personal respect that one should extend even to your ideological opponents - pronounce Boehner's name as he prefers it. Pronounce Obama's name as he prefers it. Pronounce everyone's name as they prefer it, even if you have to ask again, even if you think it's weird, even if you have to practice saying it to get right.
You're right on the naming thing. People deserve to be called what they want to be called. I'm in Korea, teaching, and learning my students' Korean names (unless they prefer me to call them by an English name). Is it hard? yes. Do I remember their names when I see them on the street? No. Do they stop me and ask me what their name is? Yes. And that way, we talk. I look them in the eye and I try to get my mouth to make the sounds they recognize. It's just respectful.
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