The Namesake (Part 5)

Ashima is still pregnant with Gogol's sister or brother when it is time for Gogol to start kindergarten. Ashoke takes Gogol to school on his first day and Gogol is entering school a week late. Ashoke and Gogol are introduced to the principal Mrs. Lapidus. Ashoke and Ashima have come up with a good name for Gogol to use out in public and at school, Nikhil. Gogol does not understand why he has to be called a different name at school and something else at home.When Mrs. Lapidus overhears Ashoke call "Nikhil" Gogol she asks why he doesn't want him to go by Gogol. His dad explains to the principal the difference between a pet name and a good name. She doesn't quite understand the difference because Ashoke did not use nickname to describe pet name. When Ashoke leaves Mrs. Lapidus disregards his and Ashima's request to call Gogol "Nikhil" and has her secretary do his application over using the name Gogol. She tells Gogol that people will call by what he wants them to call him "Gogol" and she writes a letter to Ashima and Ashoke explaining how at school they will honor Gogol's wishes and call him Gogol. Ashima and Ashoke wonder why Americans don't honor the parents wishes before the childs'.

Quote: "...Mrs. Lapidus, folded and stapled to a string around his neck, explaining that due to their son's preference he will be known as Gogol at school. What about the parents' preference? Ashima and Ashoke wonder..."

Question: When you were old enough to understand your culture and it was part of your culture to use a different name at school and out in the world would you use a different name because of your culture and your parents' wishes?