Robert Not Bob

My middle name is Daniel. For the first 18 years of my life I was known by all simply as Dan. I had a first name, but no one used it. I was just a shortened version of my middle name – at least it was not Danny. I was “Dan the Man”, “Dan, Dan if he can’t do it no one can.” Three short letters. Short and sweet.

When I hit college at THE University of Texas, the professors that first semester called on me by my first name and being a timid young kid from a small town, I just went with it. Before long, most people in Austin knew me as Robert, so I just went with it. More importantly I liked it. I was “Robert” – my real first name. Not Bob, Bobby, Rob, Robbie, or Bert – just Robert.

Over the past 20+ years, I have almost completely lost all references to Dan – except for the rare times I venture back to my hometown. Even my parents usually call me Robert now. Only my sister insist on calling me Dan, mainly just because she knows I don’t like it.

So that gets me to the name of my blog – RobertnotBob. I have become very protective of my moniker. I am Robert. When unsuspecting sales guys cold call me and address me as Bob or Rob, I promptly let them know that if they ever call me that again, then I guarantee they will never make a sale. A little harsh, I know; but I just think it is just a little presumptuous to shorten someone’s name right off the bat.

Now don’t get me wrong, some guys are better off with a shortened version. Bob Marley: who would want to party with Robert Marley? Same with Bob Dylan and Bob Segar. Bob Dole: saved a few dollars on those campaign signs over the years by avoiding the extra letters. Do you think Sponge Robert would have been a big hit – I doubt it.

So if you ever run into me in the real world or the virtual one, do me a favor and call me Robert.