Definitions

I've spoken about my thoughts on definitions, previously, but I think another round may be worthwhile.  My job presents numerous opportunities to interact with a variety of people, usually of the average Joe, working class.  Which I think is a good thing.   Regular people tend to be more honest, as their reputations typically aren't at stake, due to things that may say. 
I work with Protestants of a variety of stripes, with Sikhs, with agnostics and with atheists.  Most of all of these are good guys, in the practical sense.  But interacting with such a wide variety introduces an interesting situation.  When speaking with a non Christian, the manner in which they view me is in large part controlled by their definition of Christianity.  This usually means "modern evangelical" or "Roman Catholic".
The problem comes down to this: modern evangelicalism had taken over the center stage of what people think of as Christianity.  It is almost the case that the eastern Orthodox Christian cannot use the term "Christian" for himself because doing so lumps him into Protestant Americana.  This introduces a lot of confusion and difficulty.
This sort of thing has happened numerous times throughout history and all over the globe.  A particular term or phrase or definition is in use and a minority or sectarian group with take the term and redefine it to their own end.  Fair or not, it happens. 
Maybe I am over thinking this.  Is it important that people understand who we are?  Especially when a faulty view introduces trouble into a situation?  In this particular situation, much of the difficulty comes from the relative obscurity of the Orthodox faith in America.  Far too many people simply don't know what it is.  To witness with your actions and not with your words may sound nice, but in this instance, it is misleading.  Orthodox Christians don't want our life example to lead people into a Protestant church.  We want them in the historic, apostolic church. 
I don't know what the answer is, but I suspect that it may have something to do with loving neighbor and being prepared to give an answer for the hope we have.