My names is Robert, not Bob.

My name can't really be shortened, so I don't have direct experience with it. My son's name has many different possible nicknames, though, and people seem to try all of them without inquiring as to our preferences. It's not so bad, really, because none of them are bad, but it's interesting. I have always tried to make sure I know what someone likes to be called so that I can use the proper name. I am also really picky about spelling (this comes from my maiden name having a very unusual spelling). I realize that not everyone is like this, though. It has been my experience that if someone is very particular about what they are called, they will generally make themselves very clear on the point, so that does help. Was it Groucho Marx who said something along the lines of "You can call me whatever you like... as long as you call." I don't remember if it was him or someone else, but there's something to that sentiment too. As long as it's not unpleasant, hopefully we can remember that at least the person is paying attention to us?

My name is Rachel, and people call me "Rache" all the time. I don't mind it enough to correct people, but it is funny to me, when my friends call me by my full name and the only people who shorten it are people who don't know me very well at all. It seems like a gross reversal of logic.

It depends on what they're shortening it to. There are at least three nicknames that can be formed from shortening my name, and I'd only have a problem with one. Since I've become an adult though, not many people do shorten my name. I actually had more of a problem with someone making my name longer, and I really didn't like it.

No one ever shortens my name. I don't allow it. If they did I would even know they were addressing me. In elementary school, people called me Marti for a bit and when I moved to Massachusetts, a good friend took to calling me Tina until I told him I didn't like it. I've always preferred regular old "Martina".

Yes, many people like to shorten my name. My name is Maxine and French people call me Maxime or Maxima. English people call me Max or Maxi. My sister called her two boys names that can't be shorten but her girls get called Lee Lee and Bree Bree.

people take it upon themselves to shorten my name and i hate it my name is Lucy and i always get Luce and i cannot stand being called that it really drives me crazy and i mean lucy is not really a long name anyway so to shorten it even more is just lazy i think lol