Christian Names (part 2)

This is a follow-up post to 2015's "What's Your Christian Name?".

tl;dr

"Christian Name" used to be synonymous with "First Name" or "Given Name". The majority of people in the UK are not Christian and, therefore, don't have Christian Names. Yet there are lots of local Government forms which still insist on this archaic phrasing.

Here are a few of my "favourites".

Local Government

First up, councils around the UK.

No sex please, we're Scottish

Would you like to apply for a sex shop licence? I'm unsure on what the Christian faith has to say about selling martial aides...

In fairness, the council use the same wording in their form to For Dispensation From Prohibition On The Use Of Fireworks During Night Hours.

And the lion shall lay down with the lamb

Argyle and Bute

I know it is mean to dunk on Comic Sans...

... But here's Beverley's allotment form

NHS

I (sort of) work for the NHS (ish). So I hope this will be taken in the spirit it is intended - improving the way we communicate with patients and staff.

I've excluded any historic documents, or patient comments.

Calderdale and Huddersfield

Logging compliments in Datix

Bolton

Records Management Policy

Wolverhampton

BLISS audit

Glebe Surgery

New patient registration form

Mid Essex

Paediatrics Investigation Handbook

Cheshire

Doloplus assessment tool

Nottinghamshire

Claim Form for Deceased Patients Property

Does this matter?

For people who are (for want of a better word) privileged, the notion of micro-aggressions seems almost hopelessly childish. A throwaway comment which upsets you that much? Man up!

But, for those of us outside the default, it can be a sudden jolt to the system. An otherwise pleasant day ruined by an unwelcome reminder that society still doesn't see you as normal.

I know some people who think this is just Politeness Gone Mad - but it hurts. It tells you that some parts of the country simply won't accept you for who you are. It's sad, irritating, and - thankfully - getting better.