Former Apple employee miserable because real name is Sam Sung

A former Apple employee suddenly became an internet phenomenon because his birth name was the same as that of rival Samsung.

This fame brought him a lot of trouble and led to the decision to "change his life" later on.

Thirteen years ago, Sam Sung, a 23-year-old from Scotland (United Kingdom), moved to Vancouver, Canada, to work part-time at an Apple Store. While busy with his shift, Sam's phone started ringing incessantly. Strange messages kept pouring in, each containing a link to a discussion thread on Reddit that he had never heard of.

Initially, Sam thought it was a scam, even worrying that something bad might happen to his family. However, when he checked the link, he was stunned to find that a photo of his business card had gone viral on Reddit.

The photo attracted millions of views and humorous comments about the ironic coincidence between his name and Samsung – the South Korean tech giant and Apple's arch-rival.

Samsung auctioned off its business card after it went viral online in 2012. (Photo: Business Insider)

The situation quickly spiraled out of control. The Apple Store where Sam worked was swarmed with customers asking questions, and even reporters were loitering outside. The store management immediately called Sam Sung, questioning him about the controversial post.

"I was genuinely panicking," Sam shared in a recent interview with Business Insider. He was worried about the prospect of losing his job, especially since he had just arrived in a foreign country and his career was still in its infancy.

Apple reacted swiftly to "cool down" the frenzy. The company pulled Sam out of the sales area, instructed employees not to reveal his identity, and confiscated all of Sam's remaining business cards.

When customers called to check in, Sam had no choice but to disguise his voice. Luckily, his distinctive Scottish accent helped him conceal his identity over the phone.

But the following months were a nightmare for Sam. His shop became a "hot spot," with everyone talking and laughing about "Sam Sung – Samsung's secret Apple employee." He could only try to keep his head down and work, avoiding the curious stares of others.

"I just wanted to keep my job and live peacefully," Samsung shared. Fortunately, the hype only lasted a few months before subsiding.

In 2013, Sam decided to leave Apple, not because his fame was negatively impacting the company, but because he wanted to shift his focus to recruitment – ​​a move that aligned with his personal career aspirations.

However, the memory of that unexpected fame from years ago is not easily forgotten. It was this memory that motivated Sam to make a life-changing decision: to change his name. After careful consideration, he decided to adopt the name Sam Struan, with the surname being the name of a village he loved on the Isle of Skye in his native Scotland.

This decision not only helped Sam escape his past as an "internet prank" but also brought practical benefits. Numerous studies have shown that Anglicized names often open up more job opportunities and reduce the risk of discrimination.

Furthermore, in a workplace environment, the name Samsung could cause legal problems because it coincides with the identifiers for social media accounts and dedicated email addresses of the giant Samsung brand.

Therefore, upon entering the recruitment field, where personal image determines opportunities, Sam realized the need to change his brand identity. "I want to build my own brand, not live in the shadow of a multinational corporation," he explained.

Now, at 36, Sam Struan has returned to Scotland and lives a quiet life in Glasgow, working as a consultant and resume writer. Looking back, Sam no longer sees it as a nuisance, but rather an enjoyable time. He even wants to thank the internet users who helped him become famous.

“I wish I could tell my younger self that it was just for fun, don’t worry about work, everything would be alright,” Sam confessed. “ I just wanted to relax more, enjoy the moment instead of being afraid.”

Sam even turned his fame into meaningful action by auctioning off an old business card and some Apple uniform items. He donated the entire amount, over $2,500, to the Children's Wish Foundation, a charity he was once involved with.

"It's a great way to turn scary things into something good," Sam shared.

Viet Anh

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cuu-nhan-vien-apple-khon-kho-vi-ten-that-la-sam-sung-ar972970.html