thanks for feedback

[DigitalMonkey]

In a previous thread viewtopic.php?f=37&t=34042 I asked for your feedback and suggestions on my new site. The response was great, thanks to all who replied

From the start I was troubled by the idea of putting my name in the contact info because its not exactly Finnish. Yes, yes I know, but I have spent 11 years in classrooms with Finns of all ages and backgrounds, and have at least gained and impression of their attitude toward foreigners and work in this country.

A week ago a Finn contacted me through the site asking for info relating to my identity and how that individual thought prospective customers would be unlikely to use the service if no name was present on the site. I thought about this and added the missing details. One week later and not one enquiry, not one order I remove the offending detail (my name) last night. Guess what? Two new orders this morning.

Draw your own conclusions from this. I Have.

What do you think? Am I getting the wrong end of the stick or is Kuvatohtori doomed if I put my name back on the site?

Peter

[Rick1]

If you have a Finnish wife, you just put : the Halonen family (perhe) Depends on the branch but many finns would like to keep it 'Finnish' (see popularity of perus)

[sammy]

Hmm. Difficult to say really. If you want my opinion, if some people decide not to use your service because of your name, then it's their shame.

Regardless what some people may or may not think, one thing though that did not strike me on the first read: in the texts describing your services, you're using a lot of "minä" - that does rather raise expectations that you will reveal your true indentity & name - if not before, then at least in the "yhteystiedot" section. I mean, after all that "I do this and this" it might seem a bit too mysterious merely to call yourself Kuvatohtori... sounds a bit like it came from a Marvel comic in that sense So yes, IMO you'd best provide your real name. A way of avoiding this is to rewrite the texts to a more "impersonal" mould - just use the moniker "Kuvatohtori" all through the line, and avoid "minä" -forms. But I don't know if that's what you'd want, since after all it IS just you (right?)

Anyway that just as a stylistic remark.

[rinso]

I think a foreign name might be a factor if there is a comparable alternative in price, quality and service. But people will not ignore you if they need your service, no matter what name you use.
It might however help if you could give some references (Finnish companies that used your service).

[annekmc]

How about if you just put Pete instead of Peter, it might just seem a little more Finnish.

[sinikala]

Finns... rascist? How very dare you?!

How about if you just put Pete instead of Peter, it might just seem a little more Finnish.

I was going to suggest similar Finnicising your name to Petteri, Pertti or Petri ... but after reading other comments I think I'd nick several of them ... "Kuvatohtori-Pete" means you can get away without putting your family name.

Better still .... Kuva-Pete... "Yes we can!"

[peteh]

Or you could just be like the traveling tardis time lord and just call yourself "The Doctor".

Just out of interest can you take an old black and white photo and transform it into color?

[sammy]

Better still .... Kuva-Pete... "Yes we can!"

Mind you, wouldn't a made-up name like Ali Valotus be a clever idea - punch them where they expect the least?

[Oombongo]

put mäki or -nen at the end of your name.
and if you want more response then add "suomalianen" in your family name

[DigitalMonkey]

Sammy You have a good point! I thought the I approach would make it more of a personal touch. But you are right, working on it now.

Rinso, AnneKmc, Sinikala, Peteh, Oombgongo thanks for the creative and funny suggestions. Im thinking maybe going with the wifes maiden name, what do you think?

Again, thanks for the great response. I would be interested to hear from people who have dealt with this problem and what their solution was.


Peter

[MagicJ]

I'd put Petri, my in-laws jokingly call me Janne (my name's Ian) a friend of mine (Korean) calls himself Nicholas (on business cards as well) because a) people can't pronounce his real name and b) he's english, speaks perfect english and it just makes his life in the banking world easier. He says he thinks people are less inclined to give him a call/email him with his Korean name thinking he won't understand them.
My wife is half finnish half hungarian, has an unusual first name and a hungarian surname, in her new job people speak to her in english because they just assume she can't speak finnish. She also thinks it goes against her on job applications even though she was born and schooled here.

Unless of course you object to being called petri for work purposes?

[Pursuivant]

I know many a "Peter"... besides which (any of) my name(s) isn't "Finnish" at all.

[Pursuivant]

people can't pronounce his real name

ask raam whats his

[EP]

There are many Finnish Peters, you don´t have to change it into anything. Right now comes to mind Peter Nyman (TV-person), Peter Franzen (actor), Peter Sandberg (photographer), Peter Tallberg (member of the Olympic commitee). Usually Peters have a Swedish last name, but there are also Peters with a Finnish last name.

[DigitalMonkey]

Peteh Colorizing black and white images is a method I have used in the past, but the results are often less than convincing, even in the most expert of hands. Howver, black and white prints often gain a new lease on life after adjustments to, contrast, tone and dynamic range. Let me know if you want me to take a look.

The concensus so far seems to point to some form of peter. Keep em coming everyone, its not everyday you get a chance at a second christening.


Peter