This is the first time that my Starbucks name “Ben” has failed. pic.twitter.com/hD2ney0BQe
— Andrew Hart (@AndrewProjDent) July 17, 2018
I do this too. I didn't realise it was a common thing. Coffee shops must think there's a lot more people called Ben than there are. That'll mess with their big data.
I do it because saying 'Russell' almost always gets a 'sorry?' from the name-taker. Saying my own name is most often when my accent comes back, and since a Derby accent mostly involves muttering gloomily into your chest people are inclined to hear it as Ross or Throttle.
I've always thought Ben was fool-proof, it's always worked for me. Short. Unambiguous. But I guess it's also pretty generic and easy to swap out for another Default Man Name.