What's in a name?

As I was checking my emails this past week, I noticed a few brides started their email with: "Hi There" or "Hello," but never is my name mentioned. At first, it felt a little impersonal and for whatever reason, it irked me. So it got me thinking, the only time I would ever start an email or any letter with a "Hi" or "Hi There," is when I don't know that person's name or not totally sure who to address it to. Then the lightbulb above my head lit up, if you go to my website, I use both Ming and Justin, never specifying what I actually go by. Honestly, if I saw Ming Justin Cheung on someone's website, I probably wouldn't know what name to use either. I mean, Justin is clearly an english name...and yet it's used in the middle - but if someone was just trying to incorporate their Chinese name, why would it be placed first? Would it be too personal to use someone's Chinese name when there is english one to choose from?

So let's settle this Ming vs. Justin name debaucle. I go by both and this is why: My entire immediate family all have an english name....quite western ones at that and yet, I am the only one who has a full out Chinese name. Time and time again, when I'm on the phone or telling someone my name in a noisy environment or a perfectly quiet place, all they hear is "Me," "Min," (I HATE Min) or respond with "Sorry, what was that?" The worst is the blank stare and nod.

It was pretty annoying and so in highschool, my friends took it into their hands to give me an english name. I thought...well why not Mike, it's close to Ming... which was immediately vitoed. Then there was Shawn, Chris and Brian. Long story short, Justin was chosen. I ONLY used Justin previously when I was meeting new people or didn't feel comfortable giving my name out to vendors etc. Now I use it to apply for jobs and pretty much in any instance when I'm not with people who already know me.

So yes, you can call me by either name and I'll respond. The end.