How do I prevent my full name from being sent with Messenger add requests by default?

Question

By default, whenever I go to add a contact to my Messenger list, when I enter the Yahoo ID of the person I want to add, on the next screen it asks me what group I want to add them to, as well as a brief introduction. The final part of the invite says 'Send your name with this request as: (My FULL NAME)', and each time I add a buddy, I need to make sure I click 'Change' to remove my last name from the invite. Can someone please tell me how to change the default behavior so that my Nickname from my profile is used, and not my full name? I have accidentally told strangers my last name when adding them to my contact list because of this. I have removed my last name from my profile, but my last name still shows up before sending the request to be added. Also note -- this is different than the preference to display either 'Yahoo ID' or 'Nickname or Full Name'. Thanks.

Additional Details

ALSO -- I have found that by changing the 'My Contact Details', within Messenger, I am able to change the default name that is used -- but only if I fill out something for both first and last name fields. If I leave either of them blank, the request defaults to either my real first or last name.

To DaveC --

Sorry, the behavior you describe is incorrect, and you should test this with two separate Yahoo IDs to see what the behavior is. As the first poster reported, the request to add a contact will go to that person with whatever details are in the 'My Contact Details' -- but only if those fields are filled in. If you leave either first or last name blank, they will be replaced with the REAL first and last name from your Yahoo account (which cannot be changed -- this is the full name of the account, not of the profile).

You DO have the opportunity to clear your last name from the request that goes to the other person - but if you forget to, your first and last name DO show up on the other persons end as your first and last name IF they have their display preference set to show 'Nickname or First and Last Name'

Try it out, you will see what I mean..

To the first poster, your suggestions look like that is what I may have to do. Thanks.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Since you figured out you can change this by changing your contact details when you fill out a full name. Why not use the same id you are using here. Put Rick as first name then F as last name. Or just separate your name Ri for first name, then Ck for last name. I'm sure the person will understand this or you can always explain to them beforehand!

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Good answer -- matched up with what I figured out as well as what Yahoo customer service responded back to me with.

Answer 2

no matter what display name you choose, this will *only* be seen by *you* on your computer. Yahoo! Messenger does *not* send your display name with your messages, only your ID. Your name will appear on the other side as whatever that person chose to enter for you in their address book, or the name you entered in your profile page (http://manage.members.yahoo.com/index_li… or as just your ID if you're not in their address book and there is no display name in your profile.

You can verify this yourself by right-clicking on any contact in your list, changing their name to whatever you want, and then seeing that name appear the next time you IM with them. I know it's a little confusing, since other programs like MSN Messenger do send display names; but not Yahoo!.