Unit 1, What about you?
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:30 pmHello, I am from Barcelona, in Spain. Here, I think the common names are Pau, Enric or Marc for boys and Laura, Montserrat or Maria for girls. Regarding surnames, I have read that the most common in Spain are Fernandez, Rodriguez or García. The “-ez” of the end means son of, so son of Fernando, Rodrigo... some of the kings in the Middle Ages.
My Family name is Baena, which is quite common, overall in Andalucía, south Spain. There, there is a little city called Baena too, and it gives sense to my name. The first gentleman of Baena, a title granted in 16th century by Felipe V, King of Spain, was a knight.
Consequently, my name doesn’t refer to a profession, but in Spain there are some names which do it, like the President’s, Zapatero –shoemaker-.
I only use my name, Antonio, at University and at job. When I meet someone I introduce me with the short of Antonio, Toni, and most of the people call me like this, because I ask them for it. Here, at least in the areas I move, it isn’t common using the surname to refer to somebody, so I use always the first name.
I think we only use titles for names in letters, mainly, and for bosses and customers. For example, I do it in my business, when I talk to some old people. This is a way to show respect for the person you are speaking to.
Regarding pet names, I don’t how people call their relative in private, I think is really ridiculous and not to explain or show in public. Despite of that, I can reveal that my girlfriend calls me “bollito”.
My Family name is Baena, which is quite common, overall in Andalucía, south Spain. There, there is a little city called Baena too, and it gives sense to my name. The first gentleman of Baena, a title granted in 16th century by Felipe V, King of Spain, was a knight.
Consequently, my name doesn’t refer to a profession, but in Spain there are some names which do it, like the President’s, Zapatero –shoemaker-.
I only use my name, Antonio, at University and at job. When I meet someone I introduce me with the short of Antonio, Toni, and most of the people call me like this, because I ask them for it. Here, at least in the areas I move, it isn’t common using the surname to refer to somebody, so I use always the first name.
I think we only use titles for names in letters, mainly, and for bosses and customers. For example, I do it in my business, when I talk to some old people. This is a way to show respect for the person you are speaking to.
Regarding pet names, I don’t how people call their relative in private, I think is really ridiculous and not to explain or show in public. Despite of that, I can reveal that my girlfriend calls me “bollito”.