Remembering names and faces

[Trish Crocker]

I am absolutely horrible when it comes to remembering names and the faces that go with them. I have tons of business cards from people I have met a various functions but cannot connect them to the people that gave them to me. I'm going to start carrying around a note pad and when talking to someone I want to remember I'm going to write their name on a piece of paper and ask them to hold it for a quick picture. Of course, I wouldn't do it with everyone but it would be nice to have a face to go with the name (I could later write down the circumstances in which we met). I know I have talked to wonderful people that I would like to get to know better but when looking at the cards later (after fishing them out of my purse), I have no idea who is who.

[blueash]

You might want to test yourself. Go to Test My Brain (https://www.testmybrain.org/) and do the test on famous faces. I can't help you with your goal to remember faces. Some people seem to much better at it than others. Among those who are having the same problem as you, Brad Pitt and Steve Wozniak (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosopagnosia)

[chuckinca]

We were at an Eagles concert in the early 90's in Silicon Valley. At the mid concert break we stood up and looked around and my wife spotted people getting autographs from someone in a box about 3 rows behind us. My wife told our 8 YO son to go get Steven Kings Autograph. He climbed over the seats and got to the box and asked Mr King for an autograph and left without getting one. He said when he got back that it wasn't Mr. King but a Mr Wozniak.

[KittyKat]

I try to associate a person's name with an actor/actress. There was a couple I met at the pool when I first moved here. Their names were Bob & Alice. I remembered them by the movie "Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice." It really helps if they have a famous name. A lady I met at Pokeno was named Cher. There are some people I see on occasion but can never seem to remember their name(s) and other people I rarely see but remember their name(s) instantly! Go figure. I think we should all wear name tags(first name only).

[rubicon]

an attorney friend of mine had a method for placing names with faces. when he first met a person he would extend a handshake look straight into your eyes and repeat your name a number of times. it was quite effective but i suspect unnerved some people

[janewk]

Usually when someone gives me a card, the backside is bare, so I always write on it, where exactly it was that we met. Example. Name: John Doe. Turn it over: Truman Golf course and the date. Sometimes, there may or may not be any other pertinent info that you may want to indicate to help remember who they were.

[kstew43]

an attorney friend of mine had a method for placing names with faces. when he first met a person he would extend a handshake look straight into your eyes and repeat your name a number of times. it was quite effective but i suspect unnerved some people

you know I have tried that approach.....so nice to meet you mrs jones, mrs jones how was your lunch. oh that is wonderful mrs jones.... mrs jones I love your earings..ect ect...

I come across as being a moron....and I still can't remember her name when I see her again....

[Boomer]

I am absolutely horrible when it comes to remembering names and the faces that go with them. I have tons of business cards from people I have met a various functions but cannot connect them to the people that gave them to me. I'm going to start carrying around a note pad and when talking to someone I want to remember I'm going to write their name on a piece of paper and ask them to hold it for a quick picture. Of course, I wouldn't do it with everyone but it would be nice to have a face to go with the name (I could later write down the circumstances in which we met). I know I have talked to wonderful people that I would like to get to know better but when looking at the cards later (after fishing them out of my purse), I have no idea who is who.



Aaaaaaaaaugh!!!

Willy-Nilly picture taking drives me nuts!...... But, in fairness, I admit I am not normal......

I am one of very few people in the entire world who is not on Facebook and am frequently chastised for not wanting to be.....

I know my picture is on Facebook though.....Out there.....Somewhere.......looking far more zaftig than I want to admit.....Even worse -- LOOKING DOWN!.......aaaaaaaaugh!!!

Oh well, Trish, I am sure you are a nice lady and you did say "ask them to hold for a quick picture." But........

Can't I just go on pretending I look like I did in the 70s.....NO! I did not say "MY 70s".......I said "THE 70s." (Oh how I loved my shag haircut and my Triumph GT6.....(sigh)

And, btw, cataract surgery was a wondrous thing. BUT! Uh Oh! And, Oh My!

Anyway, Trish, if we ever meet, I will do my best to help you to remember me.......but please don't take my picture.

Boomer in Denial

[Two Bills]

I have a name tag by the side of my bed, so when I wake up I know who I am.
Wife changed it once, and for a week I informed all my new friends I was 'Dumbo.'

[Madelaine Amee]

Most of the people I have met in life are just a "voice" to me. My job necessitated a lot of phone work, nationally and internationally, I got to know who the person was by the sound of their voice. I can still know immediately who is calling me if I know their voice. However, I have no recall of faces or names to go with faces. So I run into people here who call me by name and I have absolutely no idea who they are .......................

However, I have an acquaintance who has mastered the art of recognition .... if you run into him he says .......... "Hi .......... Bruce Archer, such and such Villa, Hemingway" and you immediately remember who he is. He has the knack of doing it so that you are not left looking stupid and in a fog. He was a top salesman in his real life and this is the trick he learned from an old salesman years ago. What a clever idea.

[rubicon]

Aaaaaaaaaugh!!!

Willy-Nilly picture taking drives me nuts!...... But, in fairness, I admit I am not normal......

I am one of very few people in the entire world who is not on Facebook and am frequently chastised for not wanting to be.....

I know my picture is on Facebook though.....Out there.....Somewhere.......looking far more zaftig than I want to admit.....Even worse -- LOOKING DOWN!.......aaaaaaaaugh!!!

Oh well, Trish, I am sure you are a nice lady and you did say "ask them to hold for a quick picture." But........

Can't I just go on pretending I look like I did in the 70s.....NO! I did not say "MY 70s".......I said "THE 70s." (Oh how I loved my shag haircut and my Triumph GT6.....(sigh)

And, btw, cataract surgery was a wondrous thing. BUT! Uh Oh! And, Oh My!

Anyway, Trish, if we ever meet, I will do my best to help you to remember me.......but please don't take my picture.

Boomer in Denial

Me neither Facebook, twitter, etc are big no no's for me

[Madelaine Amee]

Aaaaaaaaaugh!!!

Willy-Nilly picture taking drives me nuts!...... But, in fairness, I admit I am not normal......

I am one of very few people in the entire world who is not on Facebook and am frequently chastised for not wanting to be.....

I know my picture is on Facebook though.....Out there.....Somewhere.......looking far more zaftig than I want to admit.....Even worse -- LOOKING DOWN!.......aaaaaaaaugh!!!

Oh well, Trish, I am sure you are a nice lady and you did say "ask them to hold for a quick picture." But........

Can't I just go on pretending I look like I did in the 70s.....NO! I did not say "MY 70s".......I said "THE 70s." (Oh how I loved my shag haircut and my Triumph GT6.....(sigh)

And, btw, cataract surgery was a wondrous thing. BUT! Uh Oh! And, Oh My!

Anyway, Trish, if we ever meet, I will do my best to help you to remember me.......but please don't take my picture.

Boomer in Denial

Believe me, you are very normal - I do not want someone taking my picture, especially a recently met stranger. Many many years ago, my otherhalf and I were asked to do a commercial for kitchen equipment, we thought it was a great joke, since then I have often wondered whether our heads are on some porno movie somewhere!

As for social media, I stay way away from anything that I consider an invasion of my privacy.:ohdear:

[Marathon Man]

I think the picture taking is a bit too much. Fret not. You are in good company. Simply say "I'm sorry, I can't remember your name". Everyone will understand.

[TheDude]

I am absolutely horrible when it comes to remembering names and the faces that go with them. I have tons of business cards from people I have met a various functions but cannot connect them to the people that gave them to me. I'm going to start carrying around a note pad and when talking to someone I want to remember I'm going to write their name on a piece of paper and ask them to hold it for a quick picture. Of course, I wouldn't do it with everyone but it would be nice to have a face to go with the name (I could later write down the circumstances in which we met). I know I have talked to wonderful people that I would like to get to know better but when looking at the cards later (after fishing them out of my purse), I have no idea who is who.

If you have a bad memory, don't take their photo, when you meet people will you put them on hold to check your phone? What if you think you just met someone, will you take the picture again?

The best way is just to not stress it. make yourself unique so they remember you. You will get to know them that way. If someone shows interest in you, you will show interest in them.

Don't take pictures. Where a cool hat or a flower... make people know you!!!!

[rjm1cc]

I have a friend who says he has a tough time remembering names so asks if he can take a picture.

[ColdNoMore]

Usually when someone gives me a card, the backside is bare, so I always write on it, where exactly it was that we met. Example. Name: John Doe. Turn it over: Truman Golf course and the date. Sometimes, there may or may not be any other pertinent info that you may want to indicate to help remember who they were.

I was going to suggest the same thing. :thumbup:

[2BNTV]

I found repeating one's name as many times in conversation when first meeting them is a good way to remember them.

I also associate their name to a family member or someone who is famous. Their name placed with a vivid association is a good way, according to one expert in memory.

If one can't remember, i would re-introduce myself and hope their say their name.

Some people have the habit calling someone buddy, dude or chief. That shows me they have no interest in trying to remember someone's name. UUUUGGGGHHHHHH!!!!

[Barefoot]

you know I have tried that approach.....so nice to meet you mrs jones, mrs jones how was your lunch. oh that is wonderful mrs jones.... mrs jones I love your earings..ect ect...
I come across as being a moron....and I still can't remember her name when I see her again....

I have a name tag by the side of my bed, so when I wake up I know who I am. Wife changed it once, and for a week I informed all my new friends I was 'Dumbo.'

Two funny posts. :mademyday:

[redwitch]

I have absolutely no facial recognition ability. I've been known to walk past my daughter in a store without saying a word until she calls me "Mom". Sad, but true. What I do do is listen to your voice and watch body language. The other thing is make sure I hear your name when being introduced, not whether I was introduced correctly. When we meet in the future, the oral clues and body language usually trigger a memory as to who you are. If not, I've found a sincere apology about not recalling usually does the trick. As to taking my picture, not gonna happen.