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People have hard time pronouncing foreign names. Also, with the current conditions in the country, foreigners or immigrants from certain religions or countries who are not of anglo descent have some sort of negative preconceived notion associated to them. Most of the time they don't want to be associated with the general perception of what media is portraying about them or the generalization deception ppl might have about them. So they are really careful about it.
I have seen people using their american nick name on license plates and all sorts of non legal documents. Some of them would get pissed if you call them by their real name as if they are trying to run away from their identity. I don't blame them though. I was told in retail inorder to get best results the name should be most American sounding. Most of the guys I worked with had their names as Mike, Tim and Allen on their business cards when in reality their names were not that. It was good for business. Now some of them did not look like Mike, Tim or Allen but no body cared, at least the customers didn't as long as they could speak English.
I am not sure what sort of product you were selling but maybe she might have thought that she would be taken seriously if she used an XYZ name instead her real foreign name. I know it sounds absurd but I have heard crazy stories...
I'm still trying to understand why in god's name a business would give one rat's rear about the name and make it an issue!
I don't care what a customers name is. I'm not a business, but a person running a business. It's confusing if there is a signed name and a email name that differs a lot. It makes me wonder who to address the email to. I almost always see the email name (the name that isn't part of the address, but shows as the actual name by the email name), that is the same or similar, but if not the same,or it at least sounds like a plausable nick name. Like I don't see an inquiry form with a name Bob, then an email addess that says Felix@aol.com that I am repling to. I didn't think it was a scam or anything, but I didn't know at that point the name I should be addressing. On top of that, they signed the first reply without a name...just Best. Always that is followed by a name.
I don't care what a customers name is. I'm not a business, but a person running a business. It's confusing if there is a signed name and a email name that differs a lot. It makes me wonder who to address the email to. I almost always see the email name (the name that isn't part of the address, but shows as the actual name by the email name), that is the same or similar, but if not the same,or it at least sounds like a plausable nick name. Like I don't see an inquiry form with a name Bob, then an email addess that says Felix@aol.com that I am repling to. I didn't think it was a scam or anything, but I didn't know at that point the name I should be addressing. On top of that, they signed the first reply without a name...just Best. Always that is followed by a name.
Why on earth will they hide their name? Either tell the real Indian name or the adopted Anglo name. Probably they have taken the quote earlier also from the same place and they are double checking. By giving a different name, they think that you will not know that the same quote has been asked earlier also. They didnt had commnsense to give a different email address.
Many chinese students, when they come to US, adapt an Anglo name. There is a general feeling among immigrant communities that Americans find it difficult to pronounce Foreign names. In Asian, African cultures, person is many times addressed with Surnames Mr xyz or Miss xyz. When they come to the US, all of a sudden they have to make adjustment of First name becoming important for the first time in their life. It makes their life difficult if the first name is a tongue twister.
I had a friend from west Africa Tiecoura Traore. He was used to be called Mr Traore in his country. When he came to the US, his first name Tiecoura (pronounced as Chekoora) became difficult for people. Everytime people used to ask and he had to spell it. So he put the name Jimmy. That made his life easier.
I have a friend who goes by 'Dave'. He has lived in this country since he has been six. Those of us who know him call him by his real name. It is easier for him to be 'Dave' when ordering takeout and a bunch of other things.
I'd let it go. I doubt they are trying to rip you off. It's just easier to go by an American name.
Depends on the business you're in.
-- is it a one time sale, or could it be an ongoing relationship?
-- if you're selling things or providing services with 'official documents' or that are government regulated -- I'd want to know what the deal is with the name.
I didn't say make a big deal of it. Just ask. See the reaction and answer you get.
MOST people use alias for harmless reasons. SOME do not.
I would go with the name she filled out the quote form with. If it really bothers you, you could just ask - "By the way, how do you prefer to be addressed - Cindy or Saanvi?"
Even if it doesn't bother you do this anyway. It shows that you pay attention and acknowledge the difference and that you are looking to help the customer feel comfortable.
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