I can't remember names

[Upgradable]

There is a woman at work with a candy name. It starts with T, ad is either Toffy or Taffy or something like that. Would you take a stab at calling her by name and being wrong? Or would you just go along pretending? How do you handle this kind of situation?

 

[ForteKitty]

"yo T, how's it goin?"



all kidding aside, can you search thru a company directory by either name and see what comes up?

 

[soocool]

I am terrible with names and will often ask people. You could either ask someone else or ask her directly. I am sure she wouldn't mind.

 

[dragonfly411]

I'm horrible at names, but I'd just ask her and apologize for my own bad memory. That's me though

 

[TooPatient]

I am AWFUL at names.

What I do is look really , say "I'm sorry. I am absolutely awful with names." They usually give me their name and often admit that they are bad at names too. (sometimes they even smile and ask for my name in return)


I used to feel bad about asking, but I'm finding that many of the times I have to ask for a name again the other person has also forgotten my name -- but were too embarrassed to ask until I asked first.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Pretend until you end up in a conversation with her and another person, and either 1) if the 3rd person doesn't know her, make 3rd person ask her name; or 2) if 3rd person does know her, ask 3rd person after the conversation what her name is.

 

[TravelingGal]

Find a way to mention her to another coworker. Say, "and I was talking to...oh my god...I'm getting old and am having a brain fart! I talk to her all the time...you know, the gal in accounting? Holy moly, her name is on the tip of my tongue!"

It does happen...when I was pregnant I forgot my the name of my boss...whom for I had been working for 3 years at the time and spoke to almost every day.

 

[Maisie]

I'm horrible at names, but I'd just ask her and apologize for my own bad memory. That's me though

Me too. I don't mind admitting I have a memory like a sieve.

 

[TravelingGal]

coincidentally, msnbc has an article on brain fart issue (names, not remembering where you parked the car, etc.)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40016075/ns/health-behavior/

 

[Strawdermangrl]

There is a woman at work with a candy name. It starts with T, ad is either Toffy or Taffy or something like that. Would you take a stab at calling her by name and being wrong? Or would you just go along pretending? How do you handle this kind of situation?

This is when the old 'Hey YOU!' works wonders. I highly recommend....ETA- not yelling 'hey you' across the office but more like when being approached by said 'candi/taffy/Tuffi' greet her by 'hey YOU' or 'Hey Lady' as if you are already friends. LOL>

 

[elrohwen]

I would ask a friend in the office before asking the person directly. Or, what I usually do, is try to look on a meeting invite or email the person is on and try to figure it out from there (not helpful if I don't know half of the people in the meeting though)

 

[MonkeyPie]

Pretend until you end up in a conversation with her and another person, and either 1) if the 3rd person doesn't know her, make 3rd person ask her name; or 2) if 3rd person does know her, ask 3rd person after the conversation what her name is.

Hahaha brilliant!

 

[D&T]

I'm horrible at names, but I'd just ask her and apologize for my own bad memory. That's me though

Me too. I don't mind admitting I have a memory like a sieve.

I agree, I usually apologize for my memory problems

 

[argylemarionette]

thank heavens for corporate ID badges

 

[oranges]

Pretend until you end up in a conversation with her and another person, and either 1) if the 3rd person doesn't know her, make 3rd person ask her name; or 2) if 3rd person does know her, ask 3rd person after the conversation what her name is.

Hahaha brilliant!

Great minds think alike, B.E.G! I pulled a "number 1" not too long ago -- it worked great. I was in classes here and there with someone for years and didn't know their name !

 

[Modified Brilliant]

There's a FedEx ad on tv about name memorization. It's funny but it could be useful.

It's about word association. I used word games throughout college to help me memorize everything.

 

[klewis]

There's a wealthy local socialite who spends most of her time organising fundraising events for charities. I saw an interview with her where she said she calls everyone "daaaarhling!" so that she doesn't offend anyone by forgetting their names.

Probably not appropriate for your work though

 

[Haven]

This is a fine example of one more reason why the world would be a better place if everyone watched The Office.

Behold:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/56364/the-office-mnemonic-device

 

[perry]

I understand totally....

Its not that I forget names. I have thousands of names stored. I also remember people (thousands of those too). My problem is that I do not naturally link names with people...

On the other hand - I remember equations and math/science stuff from decades ago. I'm a natural at it... (which is one of the reasons I'm and engineer - and have dabbled in science).

I just usually say someting like: Good day, Hi, Smile, etc. I no longer worry about the fact that I may not remember their name. If I need it I can ask for it. I make no secret of my difficulties with remembering names with people - so most people are not offended.

I have conversations at work with people about their weekends, their families, etc... all without remembering their names. But they know I do remember who they are and something about their life.

Perry