How to Spell My Name

It was a surprise when I went to Starbucks in the US for the first time and was asked my name. We don't put names on cups at Japanese Starbucks. We just call out the name of the drink you got; "Tall caramel frappuccino!" But then what if four people got tall caramel frappuccinos at once? Writing names on cups makes sense to avoid confusion.

I imagine, though, it must be hard for the people who work at cafes to get the customers' names right. There are all kinds of names and spellings in the US. I know some people with non-English or uncommon names who say they just spell out their names or give fake English names. I've always been attracted to the idea of making up my own English name, but since I haven't done so yet, I usually just give my name as it is, "Kana." Some, not many, get it right, and others don't. It's my secret pleasure to look at the name on the receipt or the cup to see how my name was spelt--HANNA, HANA, CONNA, CONA, KANNA, KARA, KALA.

There's a girl working at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on campus, where I almost always went to get a small iced coffee after lunch on Monday and Wednesday in the spring. She never got my name right; she always put KARA or CARA. Toward the end of the semester, she seemed to start recognizing me. She would smile and nod a little when she saw me.

Yesterday was my first day at work for the summer. I went back to the Coffee Bean to get a small iced coffee and it was her who helped me. She typed something on the register without even asking me. She asked me if I wanted my receipt and I said yes. She tore it off and gave me with a smile. I looked at it. It said CARLA.

Maybe this can be my English name. As I said, I've always been interested in having one!