Remembering Names 1

[SomeYahoo]

I was at a conference last week and realized that I have a very difficult time remembering names. Sometimes they are "in one ear and out the other"; I'll be having a conversation and realize I had forgotten their name already. Other times, I concentrate on their name, remember it for the conversation, and forget the next day.

So the question is: what do you do to remember names? I truly believe this is an obstacle I need to overcome.

Thanks for any and all help!

 

[l3city]

Hi SomeYahoo:
"repetition is the mother of retention" What I do, say after getting a phone # for example, is that after a few minutes I go back and try to repeat the phone # just by memory. I do this whit names and other stuff at work also when I don't have pencil & paper in front of me.
Regards

 

[COEngineeer]

I tend to remember people's last name better. Remembering the first name will come naturally once you memmorized their last name.

 

[TheTick]

I am not good with names. I make an effort to try to remember. One thing I do is remind myself a minute or two later to recall a new introducee's name.

I am not afraid to as for someone's name a second time. In engineering circles, the "bad with names" foible seems pretty common and is accepted.

 

[MadMango]

I collect business cards.

[green]"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."[/green]

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[josephv]

Hello SomeYahoo,

In a meeting or classroom I write every one's name down (including the teacher's).

Another trick, I generally try to give my business card and hopefully receive the other person's card too (i.e. I have their name in the card).

Best regards,

Joseph

 

[HgTX]

I go for blunt honesty. "This is awful, but I've completely forgotten your name. I'm HgTX."

I also go to trusted people fairly often to point at others and ask, "Who's that again?" Eventually it sinks in.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[bvanhiel]

Something that I find helpful: After you've been introduced, use their name in the conversation. It may seem slightly unnatural and forced, but it does help you remember their name!

-b

 

[Ashereng]

I noticed a lot of "little tricks" to remember names being offered here.

In my experience (mostly with friends), I find people who can't remember names also can't remember other things (like when the meeting is, or the corner store run list, or who's turn it is to pick up the beer tab).

If you can practice remembering things in general, maybe that will translate over to remembering names?

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[jmw]

Tony Bussan's books on memory include a series of techniques for just this problem and key amonmg them, as i recall, is Bvanhiel's tip but don't use thee name once, use it as often as you can.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[HgTX]

Except that I always see right through people deliberately working my name into the conversation, and it annoys me.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[bvanhiel]

HgTX,

I used to think the same thing. I think it's because the kind of people that are good at remembering names (and therefore use your name frequently) are usually salesmen or politicians. Once I realized that it could be used for good as well as evil I changed my mind.

-b

 

[MortenA]

I used to be very poor at remembering names and still is not in the "top league". But its undeniably both an excellent social skill and a good career thing!

I have found that if you frequently need to learn new names - then you "sharpen this skill".

I have become a scout leader a couple of years back. I need to learn the kids name fast - because they have much more respect for you when you use their name. So if you get involved in an "non professional" activity where you meet new people frequently then i believe this could improve your ability to learn new names.

Best regards

Morten

 

[kontiki99]

On a peer level, once I realized how uncomfortable im made others feel when I remembered their name and they couldn't remember mine, it became something of a sport.

I generally jot names down on my palm and make small lists for business and social groups. Really to discretely manage contact info.

I believe it really helps to remember names, particularly of those people in my own organization that are lower on the food chain. I think it sends a message that they are recognized and are not invisible.

I'm not choosy, I'll accept assisitance from anyone if it helps me get the job done.


I find it's all just a matter of focus and priorities anyway. Very few of us can be sucessful without the assistance and support from the others, internally and externally.

 

[SomeYahoo]

Wow... thanks for all the tips. There are definately some that I can run with, especially using their name in conversation. Seems like it would have to help, right?

Again... thanks.

 

[HVACctrl]

Try this:
Think of an association with the person's name. for instance, I just got introduced to someone on Sunday. his name was Charles. I would NEVER have remembered it, but made a point to think "Charles in Charge" from the 80's/ 90's TV show with Scott Baio. It worked. When I read this thread I thought "what was his name?" and thought I had forgotten. But then "Charles in Charge" flashed in my head.

Disclaimer, be sure not to accidentally call the person my the name- ie, you think of "Fat Albert" when introduced to s guy named Albert. Also, don't laugh at whatever image comes to mind while doing the name association thing!

Ed

Ed

http://www.engineerboards.com

 

[whyun]

I used to picture of someone with a same name from my past - junior high school friend, college roommate, etc. It's getting more difficult with foreign names.

In a roundtable setting, I try to write down the names as they are mentioned during the course of the meeting (and the company they represent). It helps when cards are exchanged before the meeting.

 

[plasgears]

Try association, even silly ones. To remember Chippewa, tack on CHIPs from Cal Highway Patrol. When its silly enough, it sticks.

 

[Murec]

I've given up and will ask for someone's name as many times as necessary. I also can't remember faces and ask often "Where have we met?".

In the military, you can always call others "Sir", "Colonel", "Sarge"

 

[MedicineEng]

I'm with Murec, I'm not good at names, faces, places, etc. WhenI find persons in the street that I already met, it is quite difficult for me to make the association. Usually I trust in my wife's good memory.