If you've forgotten someone's name...?

Question

How do you find out their name without seeming rude - in business or amongst acquaintances that you haven't met in a long time?

Answer 1

Honesty... Or craftily wait for someone else to refer to them by name.

Best thing to do... before a meeting, refresh your memory, 99 times out of 100 you know youre going somewhere to meet people, so keep a book and use it as an aide memoir.

sucessfull sales people do this. The book has people (contacts) listed by name, contact information and company, also other details, like when/where you met last, any personal details ( false hand... WIfes name... car they drive...Sports they follow... tea or coffee...interests... etc)

Answer 2

I always take the direct approach, and people don't seem to mind it. Just look at them and say "I'm so sorry, what was your name again?"

If it's been a while since you met, it's understandable that you could forget the name -- there are LOTS of people in the world who can't remember names.

In social life, the rules are a little different. I was driving down the interstate a few days ago and saw a billboard for an alcoholic beverage, and it said "Got her number. Forgot her name." If you're flirting with someone in a club and get their number, I would not call them up and ask their name.

Answer 3

Ohhh... that's a toughie! There are a couple of ways I try to work around the problem.

The first is to avoid using the name in conversation for as long as I can and hope that the conversation will lead me to the name. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

If I'm introducing someone to a person whose name I can't remember, I'll introduce the first person using their full name... "Ohh... and this is my co-worker Bob Standard." Hopefully, the other person will shake hands and give out their name in return.

And, when all else fails - you just gotta ask. Make light out it - either try, "my brain has frozen up on me... what's your name?" or, "it's been such a long time.... things have been so busy here, your name just won't come to me...."

If you're really lucky - a coworker or friend might know the name and if you can finagle your way through the conversation you can find out later

At home - when I blank on a kid's name (or my honey's name) I just blurt out any name that occurs to me - they just wait it out until I get to the right one.

:)

Answer 4

I do this all the time. I have to ask them various things about themselves in the hope that they might mention someone else I know to jog my memory or try not to mention their name at all until someone else comes up and speaks to them by name and then mentally repeat that name several times.

Or make a joke of it and say something like "I've forgotten my name, what's yours?" You might get an odd looks but they might be so stunned they reply anyway.

I was on the meet and greet team in a church and asked one couple politely if they had been coming long. They laughed and replied of course, they were founder members of the church!

Answer 5

Say, I was planning on having a get together soon and thought it'd be nice to catch up with some people.. Would you mind just putting your contact details in my address book.. hand them an alphabetized book and hope they go to the correct page and write it down for you..!!!

Alternately..Just ask someone else!!

Seriously though, people forget names all the time.. Im awful for it, but I usually get around it...Its not like you talk to people and need to say their name...

Answer 6

You could be flat out honest and say "I'm sorry, I can't remember your name" and say an excuse like you're always forgetting people's names or that you were just preoccupied with the topic of discussion. OR:

Say "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. What was your name again?" to impose that you weren't able to hear quite clearly what he said.

It's important to remember it now 'cause after the first time, that would be too embarrassing.

Answer 7

I went to a friends house for dinner and a girl a met a few years was there.I couldn't remember her name,I didn't want to be rude and say to her I forgot your name so I waited till she got up from the table and ask my friend her name.

Answer 8

I always go staight ahead and tell them that I'm terrible with names (which is true). Perfectly normal if you haven't met for a long time anyway. That said you can always try to bring it up in the conversation but it can be tricky!

Answer 9

Hello, this i also found embarrassing. Try a warm hand shake and you say i meet so many people and names escape me you will find they will say i am === dont you remember, At that point try,of course i do i so much'ed enjoyed our last meeting and was looking forward to this one, Dont worry to much as it happens to a lot of folks, The time to worry is when you forget yours. Good Luck. from err? uno.

Answer 10

Ask someone to the side who knows them, be polite, most people understand. If you feel comfortable, ask the person theirself... a coworker forgot my name after like 2 months on the job, and now we have an inside joke about it, we both call each other by the wrong name.