Does It Matter What Others Say?
Name Numerology

by Prefer Not to Say
(Global)

I absolutely love the name numerology of my new name. It gives me great joy. I'm proud of it. A good friend of mine lovingly put it that we (myself and my daughter) were starting a new dynasty.

Other reactions, however, have been less than kind.

Mr Kannan, you did warn us in your write-up on my name numerology to "Ignore doubting Toms". I would imagine it is slightly easier in Indian culture because most would be familiar with the concept of name change even if they may not all be believers.

I expected some resistance or bafflement but not the strength of some reactions Ive encountered. Some have been ignorant, almost undisguisedly hostile, with a jeering undertone, even racist.

I am saddened to say it is a reflection of the narrow mindedness of certain quarters of my own society.

In one incident yesterday with a friend of my parents who are their age, I had to calmly and politely refuse to answer her instantly judgmental questions that didn't come from a good genuine place.

Another two actually broke into peals of hysterical laughter.

There's been a sheep-like trendiness for people in my culture to adopt Western names which I find inappropriate and pretentious but apparently it's odd to take one from another Asian culture for less frivolous reasons. (shrugs)

My daughter has had an easier time with her mates at the international school she goes to. They range in age from pre-teens to late teens, presumably because of their wider backgrounds.

They've been very mature and completely accepting. It makes me glad and hopeful about the future prospects for name numerology.