Mike Mason (19), a chirpy Business Management/Tourism student, hails from Townsville, has a broad Australian accent which many find endearing, and an equal number find frustrating and unappealing.

For the most part, neither reaction particularly fazes Mike.

But for the last six months, every single flat white, cappucino, macchiato, or short black (he’s a man of diverse tastes), has come with an ounce of dread, a shot of shame, and two sugars, thanks (for all his diverse tastes, he still has a big old sweet tooth).

Unfortunately for Mike, his broad accent often troubles the staff at coffee institution, Merlo’s (or is it Merlo? Genuinely unsure of how we should phrase it). Whether it’s written down as Mark, Mick, Mic, Merk, Snark, Shark, Flark, or even Swarley, Mike has historically had some fairly consistent struggles with accuracy when it comes to the transcription of names.

But at this point in his university career, after dozens of red faces and awkward explanations of ‘No, actually, it’s Mark - Mark, you see, Mark,’ Mark is pretty much over it. He’s going to cop it on the chin, he’s going to grin and bear it, he’s going to deal with it.

And the next time they get it wrong, instead of a hasty explanation, those downtrodden baristas will be met simply with a wave of the PayPass, an exclamation of ‘Oh, yes, I do actually have a Friends of Merlo card,’ and ultimately, everyone’s day will improve.

Because when it all comes down to it, does it really matter if they get your name right?

*This article has been brought to you by Merlo Coffee UQ - The Committee For Recognition Of The Barista’s Right To Choose (Your Name).