You meet someone on the street who is really happy to see you, knows your name, etc. You don't remeber them...

Question

What do you do?

Answer 1

i fake it as best i can. THE worst is when this happens and you're with a friend and that friend goes "aren't you going to introduce me?" and then you have to admit that you don't know their name.

Answer 2

Simply ask them. 'I'm sorry I can't for the life of me remember your name' But if you think this is embarrasing, just read this conversation a friend of mine had at a charity dinner.

Stranger ' good evening,how are you, it must be almost a year since we have seen you, how have you been keeping?'

Friend recognises the stranger but cannot remember where from so decides to bluff it.

Friend ' Oh how lovely to see you, and hows the wife, is she still busy' what is she working on at the moment'

Friend considers that maybe she has worked with the wife and that is why he is familiar. Hopefully this will give her some clues as to his name.

Stranger ' Yes well, you know. she is still the Queen'

My friend blushed tremendously and backed away from Prince Philip.

Answer 3

I would acknowledge my own forgetfulness first then apologize by admitting it to the person and ask them to repeat their name. It's not honest or polite to stand there and pretend or fake as though I haven't forgotten. It would of destroy my own social experience along with that of another if I were to choose to be dishonest and most likely the happy individual would pick up on that and feel offended.

Answer 4

There are two approaches:
1. You can ask general questions. As they answer the questions they will give you information that you may be able to connect with the person's identity. For example, "How are things at work? How's your family?" etc.
2. Very early in the conversation say something like, "I'm sorry; I'm having a hard time placing you. Could you please tell me how we met?"

Answer 5

Say Hi with a smile on your face. And maybe some small chat. If the conversation goes on for a min or two politly say Im sorry what was your name again I can't remember it for the life of me.

Answer 6

You have a couple of choices. One "ploy" is to talk to them, and then say something like, "I don't remember how to spell your name..." This often works nicely unless it's a very common name. The other is to simply be honest, and tell them that you don't recall their name; it might be awkward, but sometimes telling the truth is simply the easiest thing to do.

Answer 7

IF you want to reacquiant with them, you could just lean towards them and say - "oh - and your name is..?" People will have a tendency to answer that. You can always laugh it off by saying you have YoungTimers disease ( opposite of Oldtimer's - alzheimers! Lol)
Oh, better yet - ask them "What was my name again? Lol - and yours? " Then make a joke about being forgetful. I think humor is the way to go with this one. Best of luck!

Answer 8

just smile politely, and say hi, then continue with, i've been having trouble putting faces with names, what is your name again? Then go on about how you have been having a hard time with names. It should work! =]]

Answer 9

Embarrasing , but the best thing to do is apologize for not remembering their name , most people will understand as they have been in the same situation .

Answer 10

my standard line that i use is: "you'll need to refresh my memory with your name please. for some reason i just can't remember it today." more times than not, the person will be only to happy to comply with your wish. another might be: "'ya know, for some reason i just cannot seem to remember your name, would you help me out with that please?"

it's okay, even the person who knows you today, may forget your name tomorrow.

Answer 11

THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS - STOP FREQUENTING BARS, GETTING DRUNK & HAVING MULITIPLE PARTNERS, The very least you could do is remember their name, if not just be able to put a face to the name! or visa versa. If they turn out to be UgLy than ok forget the face but at least now something !