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| 'Surname is key to success' A report claims people with surnames beginning with a letter in the first half of the alphabet are more likely to be successful. The problem has been traced back to childhood, when school lists and classroom seating arrangements are often determined alphabetically. The report claims people who continuously see their names at the bottom of a list can suffer from low self-esteem. The world's five richest people - Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Paul Allen, Larry Ellison and Karl Allbrecht - all have surnames near the top of the alphabet. Of the British Prime Ministers elected in the 20th century, only Margaret Thatcher and Harold Wilson don't have surnames starting A to M. All the Spice Girls, three of the four Beatles, and six of the seven G7 heads of government all follow the rule. The trend is explained in this week's edition of The Economist. Economics editor Pam Woodhall says pupils with surnames at the end of alphabet aren't questioned as much by teachers because they're sat near the back of the class. She said: "The humiliation continues ... at university graduations, shortlists for job interviews, election ballot papers, lists of conference speakers: all tend to be drawn up alphabetically." The paper quotes psychologist Richard Wiseman saying a high alphabet listing boosts people's confidence. 31st August 2001 |
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