On the subject of husbands' last names.

[kiya]

This from the most recent spam phone call I've gotten (I'm answering the phone today because Kevin placed an order and they might be calling here).

Hello?
Can I speak to Kevin Marsh?
I'm afraid he's at work.

This is the normal thing. Normally in follow-up to this, they ask me, "Are you Mrs. Marsh?" and I say "No." This time they asked the question that I answer "Yes" to:

Is this his wife?
Yes.

Then it gets interesting.

Mrs. Marsh, I. . .
My name is not Mrs. Marsh.
Huh?

Graceful recovery, that.

I did not take my husband's name.
*with amazing huffiness* Oh-kay. Sorrreeeeee.

Then she hung up on me.

Comments

[rysmiel.livejournal.com]

My spouse and I have kept our own surnames primarily because we both have publications under those names. My spouse's surname of record is actually zir first spouse's, and I did give serious thought to taking it solely for the expression it would have induced on my father's face.

My title of record with financial institutions is "Dr.", on the grounds that when I asked for this to be changed on my credit cards after acquiring my PhD, my credit limit was unexpectedly raised by almost a third. This provides a reasonable excuse for not answering to any other title to phone marketers.

[kate_nepveu]

"My title of record with financial institutions is "Dr.", on the grounds that when I asked for this to be changed on my credit cards after acquiring my PhD, my credit limit was unexpectedly raised by almost a third."

*blink* I will have to tell Chad this. Actually, his credit limits don't really need to be raised. But still.