What's in a Name?

These are all people with
the last Name of BROWN
who could have also been
confused with
David Brown:
James Brown, King of Soul, Charlie Brown,
Gordon Brown, former PM of England and Chris Brown, rapper/rock something
See Below for Story



Note: David and Anna are in Amman Jordan for an Arts Festival along with 22 others from AIS. One of our students from Bangladesh was pulled aside in the Jordan airport upon entry because they thought he didn't have the appropriate paperwork, which resulted in our whole group being delayed entry. As David was in line at the passport control, this is what happened....

David standing in line, smiling, looking genuine waiting for the passport to be stamped (remember we were just in Jordan last April)
Man behind desk looks at his passport, looks at David, looks at the computer screen, looks at David, looks at passport, calls over colleague
Who proceeds to look at passport, look at David, look at computer screen, look at passport, look at David and walks away with David's passport
David is motioned to come into the "Special Room"

Passport Control (PC): So where are you from?
David (D): America
PC: What do you do for a job?
D: I am a teacher at the American International SChool in Kuwait
PC: Are you a businessman?
D: (Calmly) No, I am a teacher at the American International SChool in Kuwait
PC: How long have you been a teacher?
D: Three years
PC: Are you a businessman
D: No, I am a teacher at the American International SChool of Kuwait
PC: Where is Iowa? (note: David was born there and it's on his passport)
D: It's in the middle of the United States, north
PC: Is it near Texas?
D: No, it's far far away
PC: Are you a business man?
D: No, I am a teacher at the American International School of Kuwait
PC: Are you a businessman in the Energy field
D:No (still calm)
PC: Oh
Takes time to consult with others in room
PC: Okay go ahead

So David is mildly amused and bemused at why they would pull him aside. The name David Brown isn't that uncommon but his middle name OTHO does make his rather unique.

Fastforward a bit while the drama in the other Special Room with our Bangladeshi student is winding down as they've realized (after making a special call to the Bangladeshi ambassador at 1030 pm) that indeed the student does not pose a threat to the country and can be allowed in.
As David is walking by, another of our teachers informs him that Anna has now been pulled into the Special Room. David makes his way with haste to Special Room

D: She is my daughter and she has never lived in Texas and she is not a businessman in the Energy field either.
PC: Oh, well okay, she has familiar name of the person we are looking for.

SO next time we go to Jordan, maybe we should change our names to...White...or Green or Smith or possibly Al Brown or El Brown (as this signifies we are of Arab origin). Actually Anna's initials are AL for Anna Leigh. I wanted her to put AL BROWN on her soccer jersey this year, but she wasn't buying it.