[Ansteorra] Nicknames in the SCA-starting a conversation

[Tina Michael]

Back when I was a kid in school, long before I had ever heard of the SCA,
my best girlfriend and I, both of us readers into Fantasy with a capital F,
came up with secret identities for ourselves. We did it so we could pass
notes in class and if the teacher intercepted them we would not get caught.
I remember her's was Vanessa en Febra duBray and mine was Augustina Johanna
Elizabetta Michaela da San Germano. Most of it was just my real name
fancied up a bit and that of a last name of a character in a book I was
reading at time and liked the sound of. It had a ring to it. Well, when
faced with the idea of a society name I just took that one and used it. I
answer to it, right? But when I go up to people and say, "Hello, my name is
Augustina Johanna Elizabetta Michaela da San Germano", they invariably say,
"Bless you", or huh? or Oh my! When I was in Trimaris people called me
Elizabetta and that was okay but still kinda funny with a Florida accent,
it came out Elizabella or some such. So I just say call me Tina, all my
friends do, which is true, they do. But I have been told not to use a
shortened name or a nickname as that will be the only name you will be
known by, but the way I see it, if someone see something neat I do and
wants to comment on me they will make an effort to find my whole name out.
I would do the same thing.
  What do you think? Do you have a great long period or family name and go
by something shorter and more friendly sounding?  Is using a nickname a
detriment in the society or does it really matter?

Lady Augustina Elizabetta blah blah blah da San Germano
aka Tina
-- 
Any day above ground is a good day!