Forgetting names.

wolfric

Just wondering what's the general response when someone forgets your name. Unfortunately my memory seems to be pretty much shot and i can't seem to remember much. Normally i just ask someone again if i can't remember but i just give it a rest if after the 2nd or 3rd time i've still forgotten it and it's about a week or so later.

Now the memory thing isn't really an issue (i'll probably ask the doctor soon as it's a little extreme recently ) but i more want to know if people would be offended or how they would take it if someone you've been talking to all day or all week turns around and goes "btw what's your name again?"

wylo

wolfric wrote: »

Just wondering what's the general response when someone forgets your name. Unfortunately my memory seems to be pretty much shot and i can't seem to remember much. Normally i just ask someone again if i can't remember but i just give it a rest if after the 2nd or 3rd time i've still forgotten it and it's about a week or so later.

Now the memory thing isn't really an issue (i'll probably ask the doctor soon as it's a little extreme recently ) but i more want to know if people would be offended or how they would take it if someone you've been talking to all day or all week turns around and goes "btw what's your name again?"

It strikes me that your just not listening when theyre saying their name. Your hearing it but not taking it in properly, just put more effort into remembering it, repeat it in your head and listen to what your repeating.
Grand if its someone you only meet now and then and dont know that well, but I spent a week with someone in a job or college or whatever and they still didnt know my name after that Id be a small bit offended.
Theres something about someone knowing your name thats important, isnt it a nice feeling when someone you think doesnt know your name knows it? Nor reverse that feeling

Flimbos

This has happened me a few times, well not to the same extent, usually it's someone who I might have been in school or college with, and I wouldn't have seen them in years. I find it very embarrassing though, especially if they remember my name right away!

One thing I've heard said on this subject is when they do tell you their name, repeat it back to them a few times within a few sentences, something like "Hey John, good to see you" or "So, John, what have you been up to" etc.

Worth a try, maybe.

Terodil

Don't be too concerned. I have the same problem -- I'm horrible with names -- but thankfully there are usually ways around having to use them and I've never had too many problems. General memory games can help, as well as previous advice about repeating the names several times, at least mentally. Or writing them down afterwards.

Fiend-Foe

I get that a lot, always think I come across looking really rude whenever it happens.

What I do is pretend to be writing a text and jot it down in my phone (when you don't know them well enough to ask for their number, that just looks weird).

Works a treat and saves embarrasment.

I had to meet a group of people for work and had a little list to refer to in my drafts haha ...

Dave - Big
Liam - Red Hair
John - Blue Tie

Etc...

shellyboo

I do this ALL the time - it's not me forgetting, it's me not listening though. I'll ask, but not take that second to commit it to memory. The thing to do is to notice something about the person - their hair colour, something they're weearing, anything that sticks in your mind, and associate the name with that.

Michellenman

This used to happen to me too. As soon as I learned there name I'd forget it and it was getting kind of embarrassing. I just started using their name as soon as they told me. So, like I was asking them something I'd use their name.
It'd be like 'Mark will you pass me the paper' or 'Thanks for that Mark'. I just kept using their name until it stuck. It sounds a bit silly but it really worked for me.

kmick

shellyboo wrote: »

I do this ALL the time - it's not me forgetting, it's me not listening though. I'll ask, but not take that second to commit it to memory. The thing to do is to notice something about the person - their hair colour, something they're weearing, anything that sticks in your mind, and associate the name with that.

+1 you are not listening. I used to be the same so now when somebody tells me their name I repeat it back to them. Helps in 99% of cases apart from one guy whose name I cant remember ever.

fizzz

I guess you are not the only one who forgets peoples names I have this same problem but thank God so far no one didn't mind me I forgot someone's name

Taltos

I am the same - used to laugh at my dad for it too. He even used to go so far as going thru all the family names including the pets before coming to mine.

I have tried to work on this - but can say that I am just not good with names. What is worse is I also have poor facial recognition. Not a good mix.

Luckily I am one of those guys that just says hi to anyone and everyone. So I get by. One thing I do though is to try to work in names when I meet people around the place - just a reinforcement - just Hi Jack or whatever.
However - if there is more than one person and I cannot remember the others name (80% of the time) I just give a general hello.

I know it is getting worse as I get older, just will try to stay away from what dad did by just listing names.