Is there anybody who is actually GOOD with names?

Question

Why does nobody actually seem to say that they are good with names? There seem to be 3 possible explanations:

1) Everybody in the world actually has a problem with remembering names, and there's nothing we can do about it.

2) There are people who are good with names, but they don't like to boast.

3) There are people who are good with names, but they say they are bad so that if they forget someone else's name, then they have something to fall back on.

Which do you think and why?

Answer 1

One of my old friends is good with names (not friends anymore) But, she used to pretty much claim that everyone she met was her best friend (she didn't know the difference between friends and acquaintances) SO, if she met someone that she met through someone else, even if they only spoke for 2 minutes. Next time she saw them she'd still remember their name and have an indepth conversation like they're old mates.

Sort of off topic, i know.

I think that people who are good with names probably don't think much about it, and i personally have never asked anyone if they were good with names. So i wouldn't really know anyways

Answer 2

I have definitely met some people who were much better at remembering names than I, but it seems that if I apologize and tell them "I'm not good with names," they'll kind of blow it off and say that they aren't, either. I think those people who are good with names don't like to boast, or else they'll think it makes others feel bad to mention that they have a close to photographic memory for names when you've forgotten theirs, so they just let it pass.

Answer 3

People who are good with names don't have to say so cause it's not a problem, only the ones who have a problem. But hey, good is a relative term.
I order to be good with names you have to exercise your memory so you can attach names to faces. One way is to use mnemonics e.g if john's got a round face, you'll can coin the phrase "round john the baptist". You learn to attach the name john to his round face and it'll stick.
Look for creative ways to make names and numbers stick and you won't have much of a problem.

Answer 4

I'm good with everything. ;) Seriously, though, I can remember names, faces, birthdays, home addresses, and phone numbers of people I haven't seen in many, many years. I would say it's actually more of a burden to remember so much stuff than forget about it.

Answer 5

I am ok, but I get names mixed up, like Tom and Sam or Dave and Phil... I think the answer is 2.
I had this friend and every time I saw him he'd go 'whats your name again?' and I knew him for over a year and it would just wind me up because I'm not sure if he's just taking the mick or not. I just avoid him now!

Answer 6

Merry meet!!
I do agree with your statements, and YES i , too, am equally poor with remembering names...phone nos. are NO problem, however...AND if it's someone i kno from childhood, then i can recall their COMPLETE NAMES (BRAIN cells were 'fresh' then! lol) Try using an association somehow with someone's name, if i think of them with a color that sometimes helps. My biggest prob is if i think of the person looking like a certain name and its not, then i have a 'brain fart' when comes to that person and their REAL NAME. Tell the person politely that you may not remember and u will ask them again to repeat, then u will remember with the repetition. Name tags help too as it is VISUAL!!

Also, Martha Stewart had this doctor (Dr. Gary-i FORGET HIS NAME-LOL) yesterday with a new book on brain exercises to improve memory! Google her and check it out!!
best of luck!
Blessed be!

GOLDIE!!!!! ;;)

Answer 7

Errrm neither are valid as some people claim they are good with names, as i am.

Its easy to remember names once you have a good method of remembering them, e.g the method taught by Derren Brown in this book Tricks of the Mind

Answer 8

What a strange question.
I have a hard time remembering names if I am in a large group.
But if I am in a small group, I can remember better.
Does that help you?
Are you doing a study on this or something?

(OH I am so sorry, I thought I was in the relegion forum!! That is why I said strange question....ooops!)

Answer 9

Actually, I am great with names, birthdays and numbers and I'm darn proud of it! I have a memory like an elephant for the oddest things, but ask me to remember something important, forget it!

Answer 10

i,d be in category 2. i supervise in an 18 floor building and of the 1500 people there (approx) i can speak to about 75% of them by name. i know thats working with them on a day to day basis, but i think thats still good going.