Names
I was sitting in the breakout area in work with my colleague, Johnny. The sun was shining in the windows and as usual, when it is warm outside, the air-conditioning was wheezing like an old man in an attempt to stir the air.
We were chatting about plans for the weekend and what each other was up to. I was regaling him with my hopes for a barbecue and some beers in the sun.
A moustachioed Java developer wandered past.
Alright chaps, some bloody weather this eh? It's roasting!
Oh aye, it's mad warm.
We agreed, smiling and nodding.
As the Java guy walked away mopping his brow I turned to Johnny.
You always get a comment on the weather from Buffalo Bill!
Johnny laughed and nodded.
He does moan about it, never happy!
The breakout area was near the exit on the floor and was quite busy with people coming and going. I nudged Johnny as El Jefe walked toward us.
Alright guys! Hope you are staying out of trouble!!
El Jefe chortled to himself at his amazing wit.
I watched him as he walked away.
Wow, El Jefe is in a right good mood today isn't he?
Johnny shook his head
What are you like, man. You have a nickname for everybody don't you?
I made a face as if trying feeding to feed a humunculus.
No, not at all.
I demurred.
You do, seriously. Look there's Darcy.
You mean Sad-Arse?
Said I, with a wicked grin.
See what I mean!
I don't, honestly. It's just some people.
I said defensively.
Johnny have me a hard look as if I had built him a table and it had wobbly legs.
Hmm, ok.
He didn't quite look as if he believed me. I pushed my bottom lip out slightly and made a flubbering noise.
Then I stopped as I saw Mikey approach.
Alright Mikey!
I chirped.
Mikey glowered. He has an impressive glower which I think he saves for me. It makes him look as if he has wiped his bum and his fingers have poked through the toilet paper.
Right you. That's not my name!
Snapped Mikey, barely pausing in his stride past us.
Johnny snapped his fingers together.
See!! You even call Mikey, Mikey and that isn't his real name!!
I held my hands up in defeat.
Alright, alright. I have nicknames for some folk yes. I admit it.
Johnny narrowed his eyes slightly.
Hang on, do you have a nickname for me?
I looked outraged as if discovering a finger in my Fritata.
Indeed I do not!
He held my stare as if riffling through my eyes and into my brain.
Good. I don't think I would like it.
He stated flatly.
He gathered his stuff.
Break's over, catch you later Boom-boom.
I waved him off. As he went out the door I picked my own stuff up with a wry smile.
Yeah Binjuice, I don't think you would like it either...
While in the Air Force, some people got a nickname that was all he was known by, even on roll call, he would answer to his nickname.
It became a laugh when a stranger would ask for him by his real name.
I had parents asking if they could see ........., No, nobody by that name works for me here.
Then around the corner comes the beloved son, and an embarrassing explanation that he is realy ...., not .... as they thought.
Lol, I have some friends like that. We are always baffled when parents ask for them and we are like, what who!?
Honestly, why would we call people by the names their parents gave them? Their parents have no idea what they'd be like as a teeny, tiny, little baby... at best it's a total crapshoot, at worst they name you Richard... names should be earned, every good Binjuice knows that.
Good job BOOMY, if that even is your real parental-given nom de plume.
Exactly, good names should be earned or come upon through that great journey of life!! I think binjuice is quite inspired!!
My grandfather had a nickname for everyone...but I think it was more he kept forgetting our real names..lol
upvoted and resteemed
Ssshh, you will expose my secret! ;O)
Nicknames are a second nature to some. I actually like my nicknames better than my given name which sounds stuffy and I am anything but!
I am totally with you there, I have several and much prefer them to my real name. They amuse me!
Putting nicknames to your co-workers is a sign of trust or something like I do because I want and I can! Either way to me they seem funny if they have them is because their way of being depicts them lol
Yeah, I think so too! It is a sign of affection!
Haha! Howie has a nickname for everyone too- if he's gotten to know someone and hasn't started calling them something else, we speculate he doesn't think much of the person ;)
Binjuice, LOL
It's great, I am rubbish with names but I never forget one of the nicknames!!
and why that nickname to your friend?
Hehe, he once had to get his watch out of the bin because it fell off when he threw something in. He complained bitterly that it was all wet and I laughed and said he was covered in binjuice! :0D
Hahaha!!! Binjuice for a nickname. He would be really mad at you. Upvoted!
I think he would, it's not the nicest! Lol
Great dear friend @meesterboom there is nothing more fun than putting names on people. I worked in a company for 18 years, I was seeing people come and go, believe me if I told you to name each of them, I always had the ability to find a point for the names, something that amused me a lot.
I wish you a wonderful weekend
It's a valuable skill to have!
Thanks for another great morning chuckle. Your writing so makes me smile. Have you considered publishing a collection of your short stories?
I haven't no. Always the doubter I am!