Our Secret Identity

Why I have a covert coffee name.

Photo by No Revisions on Unsplash

Do you have a secret identity?

At one time, my first name, David, was the top name given to boys in America. It had been in the top 10 for decades.

This year it is not even in the top 100; times change.

So when I order at a coffee shop, I use a code name because several Daves or Davids are often picking up a drink.

I've had as many as four other men about my age grab for my drink simultaneously. I first encountered this when my wife was working as a Barista. It just so happened one of her coworkers had a baby boy and named him Sevrin.

I decided that was a cool name and would be my secret coffee identity. At first, it was to ensure I got my drink.

Over time it has become more.

Baristas often comment on the name, saying it is cool or asking about the origin. I've developed an entire backstory to the name, country of origin, how I got it, and how cool it is to have.

You should see the faces of friends who get coffee with me for the first time. It's fun and allows me to 'be' someone else. It got me thinking, how often are we someone else?

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🌀 Even if you don't use a different name, do you have a persona at work versus out with your family or friends?

🌱 Which one is the real us?

🌿 Or are they all real and just a facet of our true selves?