I have a confession: I am horrible with names. Beyond horrible actually. If you tell me your name, I will forget it in less than 10 seconds. That's a guarantee, forgotten in 10 seconds or less or your money back.
This has never been much of a problem until recently. Since starting my new job I've met tons of people and, since my job is client services, I really should be remembering all of their names. But I can't. I shake their hands and politely introduce myself to them and then Wham! forget their name as soon as they say it. It's even worse when I'm on the phone with a person. They introduce them self and my ears blank out their name. "Hi this is cricket sounds and I'm calling..."
You would think in my private life I might make more of an effort to remember people's names, but I don't. Since joining Trapeze Arts I've met a bunch of people and can't tell you one of their names. The sad part is that now I've seen them enough times that I can't ask their names, that would be rude and weird. So I'm stuck waiting for someone else to call our their name so I can make a mental note of it.
Seems tiring doesn't it? It really is. I spend a lot of time eavesdropping on conversations in the hopes that I'll learn a name or two. I don't know why I have this block against learning names and even when I have the best intentions to remember them, it seems I can't.
On the other hand, I really am a nosy person and I love having a half way decent reason to eavesdrop. Maybe I unconsciously don't learn people's names so I can continue to do this guilt free. dear god, that's sick and I might want to get some help.
I have a similar problem, but I have no problems asking people what their names are repeatedly. "I'm sorry, I just moved here/started going to this church/started jumping off platforms and I'm learning a LOT of names. Yours has gotten lost in the mix. What was it again?"
ReplyDeleteA loooong time ago, I hadn't learned this yet, and asked a guy I had seen several times how to spell his name, thinking that was a sly way to learn it again. "P-a-u-l," he said. I was a little embarrassed.
I suck with names too.
ReplyDeleteIt makes for very awkward situations. =\
Hello,
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to acknoelledged the fact that you have problem with the ability to remember or to recollect names of peoples you have met.
To help out as regard this,it may be helpful to you if you use the names as often as possible.It could be when discussing with someone or in the company of friends.
I love you.