my pink toes

Although I wouldn't consider my name unusual, exactly, it is uncommon. It's the kind of name everyone has heard of (I think?), but seemingly many people do not know how to spell.

If I'm on the phone it's usually for a medical issue, so when asked for my name, I spell it automatically (it's Leah..L..E...A..H). My last name is Smith, and I'm always puzzled by the people who ask me to spell that for them, but that's another story...

At my local coffee shop or food counter, I like to experiment. After a clerk asks my name, they often stare at me, stumped. Sometimes I spell it for them during this awkward pause, but most times I wait. If they ask how to spell it, I often answer "L..I..A". Why? Because spelling it correctly doesn't mean the person on the other end of the counter will say it correctly. After some trial and error, I have come to the conclusion that LIA is the best pronunication-proof spelling (but it still occasionally prompts some interesting interpretations). I usually just let them wing it on both ends of the counter.

It really doesn't matter to me how they say or spell it - I just want to make sure they made it decaf, or made sure the burger was turkey. Like my father-in-law says, "You can call me anything you want, just don't call me late to dinner".

Today at Starbucks, I chuckled over my new favorite creative spelling of my name.
And for the record, the barista didn't even try, he just announced "Venti 3/5 decaf 1% latte".
Chicken.