Ray ‘Windows’ Payne’s nickname was borne out of small talk over the subject of funny nicknames. By Glen Atwell
GLOATING to friends that you’ve never had an annoying nickname is not a good way to stay without one.
Narre Warren resident Ray ‘Windows’ Payne now knows this only too well.
The under-17s coach at Cora Lynn Football Club was attending a function at Garfield Football Club and decided to announce that he had never had a decent nickname.
‘‘About 20 years ago, I was at Garfield setting up for a Melbourne Cup function, when everyone somehow started talking about nicknames.
‘‘I bravely said I’d never had a good one,” Ray said.
In an instant, Ray had been given a nickname life sentence.
‘‘Someone suggested Ray ‘Windows’ Payne, which was an obvious one,” he said.
Despite dismissing the suggestion as ridiculous, little did Ray know he had just been branded with a nickname that he would soon respond to.
“From that moment on, it never let up. Everyone knew me as Windows and they all do today,” he said.
The 47-year-old retailer from Sires Clothing at Westfield Fountain Gate said some were still catching onto the idea at work.
“Some know me as Windows, some don’t.
“But I won’t be having a nametag made up or anything,” Ray declared.
Ray said his glassy nickname was so well known it was occasionally embarrassing.
“When people don’t know my first name, someone will say Ray Payne and will be corrected with my nickname, Windows Payne,” he said.
But Ray said a good nickname is a great thing to have.
‘‘I enjoy my nickname – it’s good fun,” he said.
