Do people call you by your surname?

I've lost count of the number of strangers who approach me in chat or IMs saying: 'Hi Dada!'.

Does this happen to anyone else?

I know that in China and some other far-eastern countries, personal names come after the surnames, but I've had people of all nationalities calling me Dada!

Only when they are Asian, and address me as "Murakami-san" or "Murakami-sama".

I've had that Asian form of address also, and when I'm quoted, the interviewer will introduce me by my full SL name and then in later references, say "Ballinger stated....."

Never in casual or general chat, though.

I have only ever called one avatar by their surname, and I think it's obvious why - Surrealist Seesaw, strangely fits in with Dada too

No, I don't think it ever happened to me.

All of me are Argent, but we call Farallon Greyskin by his surname, "Seal".

has never happened to me, and I'm rather glad about it. I don't particularly like my surname much (it was the least-awful off a short list at the time I signed up).

Never had it, maybe Dada is a word they like, like it feels good to say.

you mean like Mama?

Not since I dumped my Sling Fool account and became Sling Trebuchet.

*spits coffee on monitor* LMAO, OMG I needed that.

Yep kinda.

I am not called by my surname.

But my theory is that one is more likely to be called by one's surname if that surname is eaiser to type than the first name.

For the original poster: "Dada" is eaiser to type than "Conifer."

For most of the others who have replied already, the first name is eaiser to type than the surname.

Edit: I'll add a second theory. For those with older surnames, they may be more likely to be called by them, because attrition makes them unique. Not many people have stuck around who were here when "Dada" was handed out. With the newer surnames, one sees lots of them.

Edit #2: Easier to read may be as much of a factor as eaiser to write. I know a lot of people are just lazy typists. (My name only has 5 letters, and still gets shorted to "Am." But, particularly when things are busy, there is so much text flying around that it's nearly impossible to carefully read it all. So many people are skimming text rather than reading it. So they are likely to pick up on the words that are easier to understand.

Were they child aves?

I've heard "SHANG!!!" a few times... generally not always good... laughs

That's not Asian, that's Japanese. BIG difference. And you're more likely to get it from westerners who are anime fans than actual Japanese.

I've only had my surname referred to once, by somebody who passed by and had the same surname.

*shouts: "Hey Yue!"

It does happen to me from time to time, most often from non-native English speakers visiting my cafe. And it's happened with both my avatars.

Never in SL.....for obvious reasons. My first name is pretty easy to work with.

Although, IRL it happens sometimes, even though my surname isn't really a simpler name than my first name.......Sir names are usually reserved for joking and perhaps affentionate needling. It also seems to be more common among guys then girls. Being a female....it definitly happens less to me then say, my brother, who gets called by our sir name all the time. Teachers used to do it quite a bit in school....which I found to be pretty irritating.....it was often done by those teachers who had a less then positive view of teenagers in general.....or of course, the coaches, out of habit.

Child avies in the store often call me Ms Flanagan, as I guess it enhances their role play, and I like polite children! Other than that, what I get called is mostly Pix or Pixie, as Pixieplumb is a mouthful! But I am the only Pixieplumb in all SL - so far!

There are a couple people who call me "Dawson", which i take as a compliment since there were only 14 of us born in SL, and only 3 of us active today...So when they call me Dawson, i feel its directed at me, and not one of many.

Now, as others mentioned, when I am in a child avvie form, I tend to address "grown ups" as "Miss Dada" (title and surname) if I don't know them well, or "Miss Conifer" (title and given name) in rare occasions where we're good friends. (Like I address Robin Sojourner as "Miss Robin", 'cause we're friends an' I know she's OK with that.) Substitute Mrs if I know they RP as a married lady, or Mister for a male, or MS if I'm not to sure of their gender or leanings.

But I wouldn't ever call out "Hey Dada!", using only their surname to address someone.

only one person uses my last name (actually only part of my last name)

which is
Nelli

Immy

Imny

Imno

Imnot

ING

Imnotgoing

Sid

Side

Sideways

isbeckon

isgrab

THE GREAT SPAMOLA

..... I go by many names. =^-^=