Pakenham father John Smith, left, had no hesitation naming his son John Smith as well. Father and son say they wouldn’t swap their name for any other!By Glen Atwell
THE John Smiths of this world are used to forgiving the cheeky grins and second glances from people who think their leg is being pulled.
And trouble with opening bank accounts, dealing with the police and even booking airline tickets are problems they face every day.
So, spare a thought for Pakenham father John Smith and his son John Smith, of Dandenong. The Smith duo has encountered many humorous moments, but wouldn’t swap their names for any other.
The father, 74yearold John, and son 41yearold John have had their personal runins with a name they have had to learn to live with.
John senior said he often gets people looking twice when he announced his name.
“Sometimes they put on a bit of a grin and ask if it is true or false,” John senior said with a laugh.
“But it has never got me into any serious trouble, with the police or anything,” he said.
He said the decision to name his son John was definitely not for a laugh.
“Back in the olden days, it was common practice to do that sort of thing, so it never really crossed my mind,” he said.
John junior admitted it would have crossed his mind, but said the name had never landed him in much strife.
“Just like dad, I get a grin every now and again, and occasionally the person who asks twice,” John junior said.
The father and son combination once created quite a buzz working together in maintenance for the Pakenham Shire.
“Not only were there two John Smiths, which isn’t that uncommon, but to be father and son creates a bit of talk,” he said.
Now the call is out for a pair of John Does.
