Shannon,  I can understand your feelings about your name.  I use to call a fellow Airman (USAF) Braggs when her name was Bragg.  She use to get mad but then she learned to laugh at herself.

So Sharron uh Sharon oh no, no its Shannon...Laugh at the ignorance.

I am Diane and I am called Donna frequently to the point where my associates laugh and call me Donna!!  Who knows????  When I was younger I couldn't distinquish Eileen from Irene.  Still have to think about it today.  Maybe I'm left brained or something........

My entire life I have been called Adrian, Audrea, Audra, Andrea- you name it.  It gets on my nerves, but I used to let it just go.  The worst part was my last name was June.  So, forever in school when roll was called I was "June Audrey".  Now, I politely correct them, and my name seems more common now.  I hear you though.  Funny, growing up I would have killed for a name like Shannon?

Sara - yes, you do have to laugh.  I never thought about addressing people by last names in the service - that could prove to be tricky, huh?  I took a peek at your profile - who is that adorable cowboy???

Diane - I am guilty of not remembering if someone's name is Diane or Diana, Lorie or Laura, etc., so I try to always use someone's name when we meet so that it will stick with me.  I also had an office that called me "Sandy" because IT mistakenly set up my email in that name!  Five years later my girlfriends from that office still use "Sandy" as my pet name. 

well I've been called Steve, but I think it was by accident. you however, I think it was on purpose to get you back for comments that you may have made.

Audrey - it's funny how we respond to being called by a different name, or different order of names in your case!  Think about how confused teachers must be these days with all of these kids that have last names as first names - all of the Jacksons, Langstons, Logans - they will be making those teachers crazy!

Peter - oh, no!  I didn't even consider it being on purpose!  I do speak my mind, don't I?  Well, I have certainly been called worse than Sharon!

Shannon,

 That is my nephew, he was 2 and a half then.  Now he is almost 5, still just as cute! 

Shannon, I've been called a lot worse! lol One of my best friend's named his daughter Shannon...a beautiful Italian name!! haha

Sally, Dale Carnegie wrote that geting the person's name right was the most important element of making a solid first impression. I'm sure you would agree Samantha. Now Sarah it's not that people are purposely trying to commit the error, we're very excited about meeting someone new.

Don't forget to slow down when first addressing folks, Sadie. That's the key. I enoyed reading your blog, Susana. Next time I won't make the mistake of calling you "Shannon," Sharon.

Your fellow blogger, Angelo. Maybe Arthur. Could be Alan. Possibly Anthony. :)

I basically have two first names. My name is Patty Carroll and I have been called Carol so much that I just answer to it.  : )

That's hilarious, Shannon.  Attention to detail, huh?  NOT!  Probably somebody making 10 quickie replies before bed.

PS, the graphic I need to type is "hilama."  I didn't know Hilary was dating Obama.

Sara - keep your eye on that boy, he's going to be a heartbreaker.

Jim - yes, Sharon is mild to what some people have called me.

Andrew - I enjoy the way you write, especially about your son.  You have talent.  Yes - old Dale would not be too impressed with some of these people for missing something so basic yet so important - no making friends or influencing people for them!

Patty - oh, my - you and Audrey should get together for margaritas and commiserate.  You wouldn't think reading names in their proper order would pose such a challenge to so many.

Karen - I agree - they don't care what I'm saying, they want those points (what the heck do those mean anyway - do I win a prize or something?)  Your PS was too funny - exactly what I thought!  Pop culture has hijacked our minds!