"I see you've changed you name. Congratulations on your marriage!"

[eyesroll]

:eyes:

And, so it begins...
Only in the last couple of weeks have I changed my work information to reflect the post-divorce name change. (I reverted to my maiden name.)

Just this morning, I got a congratulatory e-mail. I now have a post-it on my computer, where I'm tracking "congratulations" I get from work-related people.

This is all very amusing, but also annoying.

Anyone have a good, tactful way to correct these people? I have to work with them on occasion, so I can't just say "thanks" and move on (as I would if a total stranger did so), nor can I be too snarky. (Although feel free to list any snarky comebacks -- they might come in handy, too.)

Thanks.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Just tell them the truth.

"Uhm, actually, I got divorced. This is my maiden name."

[eyesroll]

4. I do that in person, but for some reason e-mail seems more difficult

I guess the lack of body language to let the person know, basically, "I'm OK and I'm not traumatized either by the divorce or by you making this HIGHLY PERSONAL ASSUMPTION and you really should MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS but anyway" kind of trips me up.

;-)

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. Ahh, yeah, I see your dilemma. Use this.

It gets the job done.

[RubyDuby in GA]

2. I would just tell them matter of factly what happened

Maybe be gentle so they don't feel like total asses for not knowing that you've been going through a difficult time. Makes you the better person.

:hug:

[unblock]

3. thank them and just "let it slip" that you're divorced

e.g.: thank you very much for your kind words. i am enjoying being single again and hope everything is great on your end, as well.

[redqueen]

11. I like your idea. n/t

[Beware the Beast Man]

6. Just say "He Died," and break into uncontrollable crying fits.

That'll show them!

[lateo]

12. LOL!

Evil!

[ET Awful]

7. Just tell them it wasn't a marriage, it was an anti-marriage

and this name change was the result :)

[GOPBasher]

8. I don't think it's too snarky to just say, politely, actually...

I just got divorsed. This is my maiden name.

[VelmaD]

9. And this, dear friends...

is the reason you shouldn't send that kind of personal email to co-workers you don't know that well.

[Magrittes Pipe]

10. Congratulations!

:toast::hi::bounce:

[eyesroll]

13. Hey, you too!

:toast: :beer: :bounce: :hi: :party:

[Magrittes Pipe]

14. Thanks. My new name, FWIW, is "Schulton."

[eyesroll]

15. Excellent.

:thumbsup:

[bertha katzenengel]

16. "We divorced and I have reclaimed my own name." Ought to suffice.

Good luck, eyesroll. :hi:

[Ellen Forradalom]

17. "Why thank you!"

"I'll convey your regards to my new spouses, John, Kate, Christina, Brian and Jamaal."

[crispini]

18. ROFL!

Best. Response. Yet.

[lukasahero]

19. I said "Actually it was a divorce, but you can congratulate me anyway" :-)

People seemed a bit flustered at first, but the "you can congratulate me anyway" part usually put them at ease.

[miss_kitty]

20. those are the same people who ask every woman w/ a bulgy tummy

"when's the baby due?" If they're perceptive enough after they score a few "I'm not pregnant" answers, finally quit assuming. I think post #3 was the height of tact, and won't make anyone feel as big an asshole as they reallllly are.