How can I change how my screen name appears...it's showing to some as my real name, any suggestions?

Yeah, it's emabarrassing huh? Unfort. at the time when you allowed them to add you, is when you had the option of how you wanted to appear on THEIR list. It was a simple click of a button, then typing in how you wanted it to show up, or maybe it's a pull down menu to pick from, I cant' remember. You can ask them to change their contact details on you however. If you're in an IM with them, they go to the top toolbar, click on Actions, then Contact Options, then Contact Details and under Name, delete your real name and have them put in whatever name you'd like to appear. If you're not online with them, they can go thru their messy list, right click on your name and go to Contact Options, etc that way. Your real name comes from your account details when you 1st signed up. If I were you, I'd go back and change that information. You never have to put in your real full name w/registering, I just used the 1st initial of my last name and they took it.