PP Bradshaw

摘要

The impending arrival of a grandchild has always been an anxious time for all concerned. But, these days, there is an additional cause for anxiety on the part of the grandparents. It has to do with the naming of the grandchild. In the past decade, it has become fashionable for new parents to choose quite bizarre names for their offspring. What used to be largely confined to just one end of the socio-economic spectrum has now permeated all levels of society. As a result, there is an increasing propensity for grandparents of our acquaintance to leave the country immediately following the birth, so as to avoid having to answer that inevitable question. One of our friends stayed overseas for six months after the arrival of her new grandson, the unfortunately named Brillo. For a pregnant mother to state that she wants her child to have a distinctive name, so that he/she will grow up to be an individual, is enough to strike fear into the heart of any prospective grandparent.