Topic: How do I get better at remembering people's names?
Anonymous A started this discussion 11 years ago #42,270
I'm not good at this. It's really embarrassing. Please help
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 3 minutes later[^] [v] #561,255
Start calling everyone "sugartits".
Anonymous C joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 11 seconds later, 3 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #561,256
When they tell you their name, actually take notice of it instead of ignoring what they have said.
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 4 minutes later, 8 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #561,258
I suffer the same thing. I can remember names but struggle to remember faces. I've ended up "introducing" myself to people I met previously.
I try to latch on to anything distinctive about them, like jewelry, mannerisms, accent, or something like that and then "link" their name to that in my mind. This is not terribly effective but I find it helps.
I try to latch on to anything distinctive about them, like jewelry, mannerisms, accent, or something like that and then "link" their name to that in my mind. This is not terribly effective but I find it helps.
squeegee joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 2 minutes later, 10 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #561,259
after they say their name, repeat it 3 times. example.
"hi, i'm george."
"hi george i'm squeegee."
"nice to meet you squeegee."
"you too, george. so tell me, do you like sports, george?"
seriously. sounds dumb, i know. but it works. i'm terrible at names but just repeating it 3 times in a row is all it takes to remember.
"hi, i'm george."
"hi george i'm squeegee."
"nice to meet you squeegee."
"you too, george. so tell me, do you like sports, george?"
seriously. sounds dumb, i know. but it works. i'm terrible at names but just repeating it 3 times in a row is all it takes to remember.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 20 seconds later, 11 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #561,260
@561,255 (B)
Thanks.
@561,256 (C)
I do pay attention you faggot, I just forget it later. Try leaving the basement once in awhile and you'll realize it's difficult to remember everybody.
@561,258 (D)
That's a good suggestion. Thanks.
Thanks.
@561,256 (C)
I do pay attention you faggot, I just forget it later. Try leaving the basement once in awhile and you'll realize it's difficult to remember everybody.
@561,258 (D)
That's a good suggestion. Thanks.
Anonymous A (OP) double-posted this 11 years ago, 39 seconds later, 11 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #561,261
Anonymous C replied with this 11 years ago, 2 hours later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #561,315
@561,259 (squeegee)George Costanza enjoys watching outdoor water sports.
@561,260 (A)
Make a conscious effort of name remembering. It can help to stare at a person for a long period of time while quietly mouthing their name out under your breath over and over again.
ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅
Anonymous F joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 10 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #561,317
Squeegee already gave the advice I was about to give, but another suggestion would be to introduce somebody to the person whose name you cannot remember. Admittedly this isn't great advice as it requires you to remember one of their names.
Anonymous G joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 3 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #561,318
Anonymous C replied with this 11 years ago, 5 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #561,322
@561,317 (F)
That sounds like worse advice than mine.
ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅
That sounds like worse advice than mine.
ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅
Anonymous F replied with this 11 years ago, 3 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #561,325
@previous (C)
I have tried it, and have known it to work. The person whose name you forgot will reveal their name to the person you introduce.
I have tried it, and have known it to work. The person whose name you forgot will reveal their name to the person you introduce.
squeegee joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 10 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #561,327
also, interesting fact: people love hearing their names. if you use people's names a lot in conversation people will start to think of you as friendly, outgoing, sociable, and affable. they'll leave thinking, "man, that squeegee guy was pretty cool," because you'll be appealing to their vanity. so not only will you impress them by not forgetting their name but you'll also be giving them a very good impression. You'll make them feel important and special without having to do anything more than say their name a few times. works on guys and girls.
imho and experience it's better than complimenting people (to gain favor) because it's not nearly as obvious.
imho and experience it's better than complimenting people (to gain favor) because it's not nearly as obvious.
(Edited 55 seconds later.)
Anonymous C replied with this 11 years ago, 8 seconds later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #561,328
@561,325 (F)
Wow thats awkward and the sort of situation that name forgeters want to avoid.
ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅
It is much easier to just ask the person their name because you forgot and then tell them yours again. They probably forgot yours too.
ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅
But his name is George, and he knows Ive remembered it.
ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅
Wow thats awkward and the sort of situation that name forgeters want to avoid.
ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅
It is much easier to just ask the person their name because you forgot and then tell them yours again. They probably forgot yours too.
ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅
But his name is George, and he knows Ive remembered it.
ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ᴳᵉᵒʳᵍᵉ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅
squeegee replied with this 11 years ago, 4 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #561,330
@previous (C)
> It is much easier to just ask the person their name because you forgot and then tell them yours again. They probably forgot yours too.
this. people have asked me my name a million times and i've never once been offended if someone forgets my name and asks again. actually it usually makes me feel like they want to know my name and don't want to forget it, so they ask to make sure they've got it down. but, i can usually tell if people i've just met call me "dude" or "bro" or whatever that they don't know my name and don't give a fuck to know it.
> It is much easier to just ask the person their name because you forgot and then tell them yours again. They probably forgot yours too.
this. people have asked me my name a million times and i've never once been offended if someone forgets my name and asks again. actually it usually makes me feel like they want to know my name and don't want to forget it, so they ask to make sure they've got it down. but, i can usually tell if people i've just met call me "dude" or "bro" or whatever that they don't know my name and don't give a fuck to know it.
Anonymous F replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #561,360
@previous (squeegee)
Hmmm.
I have this problem with someone I have known for about a month and come across once or twice a week.
Well, I think I know the name, but I am not sure it is correct, should I gamble?
Spose I could use the name and see if they turn around?
Hmmm.
I have this problem with someone I have known for about a month and come across once or twice a week.
Well, I think I know the name, but I am not sure it is correct, should I gamble?
Spose I could use the name and see if they turn around?
squeegee replied with this 11 years ago, 35 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #561,377
@previous (F)
try this, next time you see them and talk, just be real casual and say, "Everytime i see you i want to think your name is [blank]." and then just let that hang in the air. smile, and squint, like it's amusing you. they say one of to things:
"that's because it is," and they'll smile back and it'll amuse you both. relax, have a chuckle with them, and move on.
or they'll say something like,
"Oh, it's Nancy," but they'll smile back and at that point just repeat whatever name they give you, just parrot it right back but lose the grin and say it matter of factly. then be sure to repeat it through the conversation and when you say goodbye, say "goodbye, Nancy" to reaffirm the importance of their name to you.
that is, uh, exactly what i would do. just smile and tell them what you're thinking.
try this, next time you see them and talk, just be real casual and say, "Everytime i see you i want to think your name is [blank]." and then just let that hang in the air. smile, and squint, like it's amusing you. they say one of to things:
"that's because it is," and they'll smile back and it'll amuse you both. relax, have a chuckle with them, and move on.
or they'll say something like,
"Oh, it's Nancy," but they'll smile back and at that point just repeat whatever name they give you, just parrot it right back but lose the grin and say it matter of factly. then be sure to repeat it through the conversation and when you say goodbye, say "goodbye, Nancy" to reaffirm the importance of their name to you.
that is, uh, exactly what i would do. just smile and tell them what you're thinking.
(Edited 54 seconds later.)