Should know their name, but...

[m1469]

What do you do when you are in a situation where you should know somebody's name, but for whatever reason you don't/can't remember.  Here are the three main scenarios I run into :

1.  I have not seen the person for ages and I just can't remember even though they are familiar to me  .

2.  I met them once or twice but then I keep seeing them and it becomes too awkward to ask the name (again) .

3.  I occasionally run into a situation where the person is quite familiar to me (I see them somewhat often), but for whatever reason, if I am seeing them out of context, I forget their name.   

Anyway, what do you do besides avoid the person, he he ?


m1469

[Siberian Husky]

"aye dude can i see the picture on your ID?..i just got a new ID picture/dirverse license/whatever and i look horrible in it i think they take these bad pics on purpose!, lemme see how you came out"

[BoliverAllmon]

I just say Hi and wait for either my memory to catch up or the person will say who he is.

[thalbergmad]

"who the hell are you" normally works.

[abell88]

"I'm sorry I can't remember your face, but your name is familiar" should get a laugh.  I agree it's frustrating -- I'm good at remember names, but not hooking them up with the right face!

[Siberian Husky]

"hi lets play a fun game...okay first tell me your name"

then make a cute acronym with their name..

then feel VERY VERY awkward and feel obligated to treat them to ice cream..

teaching you a lesson..forgetting someones name can cost you 3.50

[ted]

This happens to me very seldom - just lucky I suppose. But look at it this way, if things were the other way around would you really care all that much ? I doubt it. Would you go on fretting about how Mrs Goodbody forgot your name at the shops three weeks ago ? The chances that the other person is seriously miffed are very small and any discomfort is probably confined to you. Therefore forget about it.

[Siberian Husky]

although ted makes a really sexy and down to earth logistically superior point to mine..i rather enjoy taking advantage of this topic's humorous opportunistic nature..thus leading me to my next space wasting idea...


you point to a large building and say "OH MY GOD HES GOING TO JUMP!!"

and while they turn away..sneak their cellphone out of their pocket...then pull out your freeze framing device you bought second hand off an ebay auctioner..freeze time..call his mother while time is frozen..ask her what this person name is..and tell her your from some collection agency..whatever who cares...anyways..unfreezetime..but not before putting his phone back into his pocket...and when he turns back and says "i dont see anything" just say "ah musta been a bird or some french fry or other misc piece of something"...

look people..i know some of my story doesnt...really..well..soem of it contradicts..i know..the whole freezing time..but still calling...who cares..just go with the flow people..just flow

[bernhard]

What do you do when you are in a situation where you should know somebody's name, but for whatever reason you don't/can't remember.  Here are the three main scenarios I run into :

1.  I have not seen the person for ages and I just can't remember even though they are familiar to me  .

2.  I met them once or twice but then I keep seeing them and it becomes too awkward to ask the name (again) .

3.  I occasionally run into a situation where the person is quite familiar to me (I see them somewhat often), but for whatever reason, if I am seeing them out of context, I forget their name.   

Anyway, what do you do besides avoid the person, he he ?


m1469

Here is a somewhat related story.

This guy was in a big department store at the clothes section, accompanying his wife on her Saturday shopping.

Without too much to do, he started wandering amongst the clothes racks.

It was a really big department store, and there were rows and rows of clothes.

Then back in the distance, he saw someone vaguely familiar. Trying not to be too conspicuous, he tried to observe this person in a covert way. He noticed that the person was also looking at him in a tentative way.

So he started moving towards the person. The person also started moving towards him.

He gave the guy a tentative wave. The guy waved back. He started thinking furiously: “Darn! I know that guy, who is he? This is going to be one of these stressful and embarrassing situations where we will talk and I will not be able to remember his name! Come on, come on! Who is he? Is he from work? From the kid’s school? From Church? From the club. I know him!”

They kept approaching each other. He smiled, and the guy smiled back. Another 10 meters and they would be face to face.

There he was face to face with the guy.

As he started to say something, he realised he was staring in a mirror.

So he smiled.

(some say this is exactly the same smile you see in statues of the Buddha).

 

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[BoliverAllmon]

and I am sure that it was all captured on security cameras for all the world to laugh at. LOL

[m1469]

Here is a somewhat related story.

This guy was in a big department store at the clothes section, accompanying his wife on her Saturday shopping.

Without too much to do, he started wandering amongst the clothes racks.

It was a really big department store, and there were rows and rows of clothes.

Then back in the distance, he saw someone vaguely familiar. Trying not to be too conspicuous, he tried to observe this person in a covert way. He noticed that the person was also looking at him in a tentative way.

So he started moving towards the person. The person also started moving towards him.

He gave the guy a tentative wave. The guy waved back. He started thinking furiously: “Darn! I know that guy, who is he? This is going to be one of these stressful and embarrassing situations where we will talk and I will not be able to remember his name! Come on, come on! Who is he? Is he from work? From the kid’s school? From Church? From the club. I know him!”

They kept approaching each other. He smiled, and the guy smiled back. Another 10 meters and they would be face to face.

There he was face to face with the guy.

As he started to say something, he realised he was staring in a mirror.

So he smiled.

(some say this is exactly the same smile you see in statues of the Buddha).

 

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

Actually, this very thing has happened to me on occasion in a couple of ways.  Once in a while I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror not knowing I am looking into a mirror and I for a moment wonder who is that sexy (he he) lady ?  But also, in a very deep way, where I look hard to find my truest self in the image staring back at me in the mirror, which is sometimes a difficult thing for people.

he he, great story 

m1469

[Bob]

A little off the topic, but this works well with numerous students...

Write something down, like your jotting a note down about them, and ask how they spell their name, "How do you spell your name exactly.  I don't want to misspell it."

Works very well.  Much better than, "What's your name again?"

Of course, they can always respond, "Oh, it's with a K."      And then you act like you can't think and ask them to just spell it out for you.

Helpful for that person you've worked with for years, but never took the time to remember their name, esp for last names.

Yes, they do get insulted when you don't know their name.  Everyone thinks you know them and remember them.  And I DO notice when someone remembers my name when I wouldn't think they would need to.



The security camera guys are probably too busy watching the dressing rooms to notice you mistaking yourself in the mirror.
I always ask the manequins for help.
I try to avoid mirrors because I just attack that guy in the mirror.

[Torp]

I just look at them and honestly tell them, "I'm sorry, I'm having a brain fart and I can't remember your name."  They laugh and tell me.  Problem solved.

[Kassaa]

Hey, great to see you again! Has been a long time eh?

What was your name again?

[Bob]

Yes, at PF we only know each other's names.      I'm sorry, but... how do you spell those details about you again?  I want to make sure I spell them right.


You can also check on the person for reminders... books they carry (maybe with their name on it), things that will jog your memory (maybe they wear a shirt that has something related to their hobby on it?).

If it's not important to use their name, don't.  You might remember while they talk to you.

If you do need to get ahold of them again, have them write down their information.  They will probably put their name on it.

[abell88]

"How do you spell your name again?"

"B - O - B" - strange look - end of conversation