Trouble remembering names?

3 comments

1. It’s a very common thing. Usually when I’m shaking someone’s hand introducing myself, I don’t even register the person’s name until they tell it to me a second time. I’ve found the majority of others that I’ve chatted about this with can relate.

2. I try to use their name at least once in conversation, maybe again as I’m leaving the convo.

   Another thing I do is try to associate their name with a memory trick. Like a celebrity with the same name or a body part or a color. Or I’ll make up a phrase that goes with them to help me. Songs are super helpful for that too, if there’s a song with their name. The thing is you have to do it kind of immediately.

3. This might not be advisable or easy per se, but having the same problem as yourself? I just adopted being humble.

   “Hey, so – I know we’ve met and I remember your face, but I can’t remember your name…?”

   Then they tell me and im like “Okay cool X, thanks for telling me. How’ve you been?”

   The important part of the exchange is not dwelling. I don’t remember their name, so I say so and they tell me, and then we’re back to conversatin’