What do I do if I flat out don't remember someone's name?

Question

I'm in a new school. I'm old, like almost-forty old. Geezerhood, thy name is Bill.

A lot more people remember my name than I know theirs. I'm in the middle of my second semester and I have been brain dumping names left and right.

How do you cop to this without offending someone?

Answer 1

tell them what you said here i am an old geezer and i suffer from brain farts when it comes to names. people admore honesty and they will forgive you. good for you to be going back to school at your age!! that takes courage good luck!

Answer 2

It is only a problem if you forget your own name... then you may be suffering alzheimers' disease...

In all other circumstances try to be pleasant and admit you have forgotten the person's name. Ask for it again and repeat it in their presence. Try to engage them in a conversation at that time and use their name a few times in the conversation to give your brain a chance to record and file the name.

Eg. So, Bill, I am so glad you are not offended I had to ask your name again. Seems like old age is catching up with me... hehehe . But would you please do me a favour Bill? When i next see you, if I have not greeted you by name, Bill, just remind me. I am really trying to overcome this forgetfulness Bill, so any help I get along the way would be just great.

Something like that, if you get my drift. Most people are good natured and will help you out if you are upfront and honest with them. Many admit they have forgotten your name also in those circumstances. I have had that happen. We are human after all...

Best of luck, Bill, in getting your name dilemma sorted...lol

Cheers,

er, um... hmmm... oh yes! Lisa :o)

Answer 3

The key is to point it out at the beginning of the conversation so you don't talk to them for 30 minutes and then ask - most people aren't offended at all! A little trick to remember someones name is to look them in the eye and repeat the name right after they say it - the name will usually stick - It has worked for me :) Good luck!

Answer 4

I use terms like Dear (or Miss Blue Suit, or Mr. Math) when I have brain failure, which is quite often. I call my kids the dogs name, call my husband the kids name and have no idea what day it is frequently. It's the Mommy Alzheimer's.

Most people understand honesty, and won't judge you when you say, "Hi there, please tell me your name again." To admit that you're just as human as they are and have flaws is pretty refreshing in the world of fakes and know it alls.

If anyone is offended by your honesty then they're a mouth breathing buffoon.

Answer 5

You can go up to them and talk to them without using their name, then hope someone else comes up to them and addresses them :) Or you can just be honest about it, it's really common and not just in older people... I've never been able to remember names, even when I was a kid I was bad at it, I knew my friends of course but I forgot their brothers and sisters or kids not in my class that I only saw occasionally. And while I've gotten pretty good at the first trick, whenever I do own up to it, it's quite common that the person I'm talking to or someone else in the group says 'ooooh, me too, I never remember names!'. Common enough a problem we really shouldn't be so awkward and ashamed about it :)

Answer 6

There's no shame in saying, "I'm sorry, I'm horrible with names... what was your name again?" or something like, "I have met so many people here, I'm having trouble remembering everyone's name!"

My problem is remembering peoples' names, but then not being sure I remembered them correctly, so I have to ask other people around, "He's Matt, right?" "That was ... Amanda? Ok, good."

Be honest with people and have no fear. They can't get angry at you for being honest.

Answer 7

Just tell them you are bad with names. Most people won't get offended if you just flat out ask them their name again....unless you have been pretending to know it for a long time and then they will probably figure that out after several times of hearing "Hey, you!"

Answer 8

my dad makes up annoying little rhymes or key words that help remember someone's name. Like our neighbor Dylan-he sings that stupid Knocking On Heaven's Door song, and he remembers Dylan's name. Carol is christmas carol, and Mark is making his mark. As long as you don't say it out loud to that person, they won't think you are any crazier than usual.

Answer 9

It's perfectly okay to ask again...especially since you're the new guy. They all only have one new name to remember, you have dozens...

Just say "what was your first name again?"

Another trick is once you've heard someone's name, repeat it back while talking to them...say "Thanks for the help, Bill"..that will help you remember names better than just hearing them.

Answer 10

I would just not say their name when I talk to them. Just say hi and then keep going. Maybe someone else who passes by them will say their name.