It's hard to invent an original name for a character

[Kelliezgirl]

Why is that relevant?

You asked "What are these office environments where people are referred to by their family name?" and I gave you some examples.

Because you failed to read the entire conversation that it was part if.
You took a statement completely out of context.

 

[Writer61]

Because you failed to read the entire conversation that it was part if.
You took a statement completely out of context.

Wrong on both counts.

I read the entire conversation and I responded to your question in context.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

Wrong on both counts.

I read the entire conversation and I responded to your question in context.

No you didn't, but this clearly isn't a productive conversation so, have a wonderful day.
I look forward to your next office romance story set in China.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Why is that relevant?

You asked "What are these office environments where people are referred to by their family name?" and I gave you some examples.

It's relevant because she has to nitpick irrelevant bullshit to prove that she's smarter than you. She likes to fight.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

It's relevant because she has to nitpick irrelevant bullshit to prove that she's smarter than you. She likes to fight.

Pot meet kettle

 

[StillStunned]

Someone should do a WIWAW about names...

 

[Writer61]

No you didn't, but this clearly isn't a productive conversation so, have a wonderful day.
I look forward to your next office romance story set in China.

I certainly see no point in conversing with somebody that calls me a liar.

 

[Gamblnluck]

Most of the time I only use first names. On occasion I will add a last name if I need it for the story. Usually that comes about when they address the person as Ms, Something. Often it is when the mother of a character shows up. "Hi, Mrs. Something"

 

[Katie_Mae]

The TD: DR of this comment is I'm not disputing your comment that MOST stories on lit are set in a setting where people use given names. I agreed with that already and already told you so.

I don't think anyone is disputing that there are lots of you Americans here on lit, or that you've written lots of stories set in modern-day US.

I'm :

• disputing your use of the word "normal" and
• stating that I choose what's "normal" for the setting of my story, not what's normal for me in real life or for you in real life, and explaining I think this is the best practice.

I don't think (or at least hope) you're not actually disagreeing with me, I think you misunderstand what I'm trying to say, which is why you keep harping on about "most" when that's not what I'm talking about.

Think of how rarely it comes up in normal work or social situations.

I use family names on a daily or near daily basis in both work (office) and social situations. That's my "normal."

That would depend on the setting, the culture, and your version of "normal."

Eg. I have some characters who only ever have family names because the "normal" in the setting is to call them by their family name and their role in the story isn't necessary to identify their given name.

But it doesn't matter what my normal is, or what your normal is, I go by the "normal" of the setting I'm writing in.

I wasn't talking about exceptions, I was commenting on your use of "normal" specifically when you said "Think of how rarely it comes up in normal work or social situations." Because in normal work and social situations, family names come up a lot! (Eg, in an office environment where people are referred to by their family names)

Obviously in your personal culture using people's first names is normal in most work or social situations, but not everyone has that experience of "normal."

This is why I put "normal" in quotation marks.

I would agree that lit specific, there are many modern Americans here writing stories in modern USA and their experience of "normal" cultural customs aligns with yours, and that a great percentage of stories here are set in settings

Translation: I wasn't referring to your statement that "most" stories on lit are set in modern-day-northern America. I agreed that most lit stories probably are. (well, at least the stories in English.) That's not what my discussion I started is about.

I was referring specifically to your use of "normal" to mean "in your life experience and your culture" to the exclusion of those of us who have a different experience or culture to you. It was a gentle reminder that (at least from our perspective) we're "normal" too.

What are these office environments where people are referred to by their family name?

What are you asking here? Several people have answered but you didn't appear happy with any of our answers. if you'd like me to take a second attempt at answering, can you please re-phrase your question.

• You use them, with or without an honorific but in a casual way

Eg "Hey, Evans! You catch the game Saturday night?" But in a meeting it's "I agree with Mark"

The Fourth example (third modern day example) I gave you is a western example, though not specifically American. It's something I'd experience daily in the 21st century in a modern western office of a large company where the CEO went by a shortened version of his given name. Not sure if that's "normal" enough for you.

Certainly, but what percentage of stories written for literotica take places in offices in India and China?

Why does it matter? I think a person should do what is appropriate for the setting and culture of the story, no matter how common that setting is on lit.

If you were to write a story set in an office where everyone is on a first name basis no one is going to call you out in the comments that it is unrealistic, because it isn't.

Depending on the setting, it is unrealistic... If that's a historical story set in an office in the 1920s, unrealistic. If that's a modern-day story set in Japan? Probably unrealistic. Maybe it will get called out in the comments, or maybe the people who care stopped reading already.

What's the point in writing a story in a specific setting if you're just going to apply modern North-American cultural norms to it? Why not just set it in Modern North America?

Write a story about a Silicon Valley start up where everyone is Mr. Jones and Mrs. Smith and people will probably point out it's absurd.

Which is why in my recent story where part is set in a modern Australian office, everyone goes by first names. Rather than applying my "normal" to my story, I researched what was likely and wrote that. Which is precisely what I've said we should do the whole time. This is all I'm saying, write the "normal" for the culture and setting of the story.

And this is also why my current story I'm working on has a LOT of surnames. It's a coming of age story set in Singapore in 2003-2004 about a 18-19 year old young man. Obviously, that means there's a good chunk of it set in a military environment which is the "normal" for any young man in Singapore.

 

[Britva415]

I don't remember any women having such authority there

I missed something. What authority?

 

[Kelliezgirl]

I missed something. What authority?

He was referring to having a high enough position to expect to he addressed as Miss or Ma'am as opposed to a first name.
Based on past conversations, Gunhilltrain is one of our senior writers, so he's probably referring to the finance world in the 70s or 80s when women doing anything but secretarial work was fairly rare.

I'll now await the "Well actually" crowd to inform me that in Tawian in the 70s women dominated finance or some equally irrelevant exception.

 

[Katie_Mae]

He was referring to having a high enough position to expect to he addressed as Miss or Ma'am as opposed to a first name.
Based on past conversations, Gunhilltrain is one of our senior writers, so he's probably referring to the finance world in the 70s or 80s when women doing anything but secretarial work was fairly rare.

I'll now await the "Well actually" crowd to inform me that in Tawian in the 70s women dominated finance or some equally irrelevant exception.

Well.... actually

IF the story is set in Taiwan in the 70s, then how is what they did in Taiwan n the 70s an irrelevant exception?

IF the story is set in America in the 70, then what they did in Taiwan is an irrelevant exception, but also, what they do in modern (2024) north America is an irrelevant exception. What they did in the US in 1970s (use of surnames for management, few woman in management positions) is not an irrelevant exception... it's the norm.

Choose the "normal" for the story based on the "normal" for the setting of your story, not what's normal for you in real life.

 

[Writer61]

I'm :

• disputing your use of the word "normal" and
• stating that I choose what's "normal" for the setting of my story, not what's normal for me in real life or for you in real life, and explaining I think this is the best practice.

I won't quote the whole post but I agree with every word.

Well said.

 

[Abbafan]

But seriously, I don't usually give my characters last names. I can only think of one, and the reason for it is so that she can go by her initials.

I don't find a reason to, usually. And if I do, I'd go with the blandest, most common names, probably, unless there was a story reason to do otherwise.

A little bit of a worry for me is subconsciously pulling a name from the past and not realizing it. Especially if my internet activity isn't as secret as I hope.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

I don't find a reason to, usually. And if I do, I'd go with the blandest, most common names, probably, unless there was a story reason to do otherwise.

A little bit of a worry for me is subconsciously pulling a name from the past and not realizing it. Especially if my internet activity isn't as secret as I hope.

Get out of here with that crazy talk. The experts have spoken, last names are mandatory!

 

[gunhilltrain]

Taking a look at the Wikipedia page for lorem ipsum, the original text was dolorem ipsum, which apparently translates to "pain itself". So there we have it, a great name for a BDSM domme: "Dolores Ipsum".

Yes?

Why not? People like that usually invent a "stage name" for themselves.

 

[Rob_Royale]

So, if you try for an original name, and the spell check flags it, look at the suggestions. They come up with some interesting options.

 

[Katie_Mae]

So, if you try for an original name, and the spell check flags it, look at the suggestions. They come up with some interesting options.

For comedic value I just tried to come up with an original name that spell check would change to "marijuana" to post and say "yeah, checks out" but it turns out that both Marjanna and Marjenna are actually names (according to google) and the spell-check suggestions are very sensible Marianna, Marjane, Marlena etc.

So... checks out.

 

[gunhilltrain]

I happened to read a review of Megalopolis, and Coppola seems to have gotten unhinged in his choice of names. One example is that Aubrey Plaza (itself a notable name) plays a character named Wow Platinum. I'm not sure if Platinum is supposed to her last name or not. It is a great stage name for a stripper or porn star.

Notable that Adam Driver's (another good name) character lives in the Chrysler Building. I'm not sure if he is the sole residential tenant or if the building was converted to apartments. I'm not going to watch the film to find out.

 

[gunhilltrain]

She didn't look like this on Parks and Recreation.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/S-RLcqddtek/hqdefault.jpg

 

[Writer61]

One example is that Aubrey Plaza (itself a notable name) plays a character named Wow Platinum.

Aubrey Plaza is a great name, makes me smile every time I see it.

Over the years, I have collected a few place names that I would like to use as characters. For example, Lytchett Matravers (a village in England) is clearly a wrong 'un.

Conversely, a piece I am working on at the moment includes two villages with names inspired by England cricketers.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I came up with a fun stage name for a lusty operatic prima donna, Sabina Splendora.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Aubrey Plaza is a great name, makes me smile every time I see it.

Over the years, I have collected a few place names that I would like to use as characters. For example, Lytchett Matravers (a village in England) is clearly a wrong 'un.

Conversely, a piece I am working on at the moment includes two villages with names inspired by England cricketers.

There are some places in New York that could be used. I could imagine a female porn star taking the name Queens Plaza. A male star could be Christopher Street. Yes, that location figures in an old Village People video.

 

[Britva415]

Coppola seems to have gotten unhinged in his choice of names. One example is that Aubrey Plaza (itself a notable name) plays a character named Wow Platinum. I'm not sure if Platinum is supposed to her last name or not. It is a great stage name

Yeah, it in fact kind of is a stage name. If you remember Ruby Rhod from The Fifth Element, there's a good comparison. Wow Platinum is a media personality.