Displaced Beachbums

I’m always impressed by those who can meet someone once and forever remember their name.

That’s not the case with me. I’m especially thrown if the person I meet reminds me of someone else, then the other name is stuck in my brain. And when we move, I do a mental purge of excess information ~ names of acquaintances, my previous address, phone number, zip code, etc. 

FM and I were discussing how much FG loves to read and, for the 100th time, he asked “Remember that girl at the Graf church who read all the time ~ what was her name?” And for the 100th time, I said “I don’t remember her name! Just say the girl who read all the time.” I can see her as clear as day but no name comes to mind. And sadly, I can’t remember her parents name who we actually went to the same dinner parties on occassion. 

Funny thing is, I bet the mom of that particular family remembers my name. After meeting her the first time, she called me Pam. Well, I didn’t have a chance to correct her and thought: No need to correct her, we probably won’t socialize together outside of church.” Well, besides church, I saw her around town a lot. I finally had to correct her and let her know my name wasn’t Pam. Color me awkward!

While we were in Germany, I worked for a General who remembered everyone’s name and what an impression that made on all of us. It set the tone for the type of leader he was and his respect for his subordinates (us) was so obvious and, in turn, we would have walked on burning coals for him. Since the previous General, after two years, didn’t know the name of the person across the hall, most of us gave him about the same respect he gave us. Not only did he not remember names, he didn’t seem to even try.

FM is more like me when it comes to names ~ it takes work to remember names. And the bad part is, in his current position, people know his name before he’s introduced to them. By association, they also know my name. It’s a definite disadvantage but I’m trying!

I’ve even resorted to using those memory tricks when I meet someone. The most important being no trick at all but: PAY ATTENTION closely when introduced to someone.  Easier said then done at an event with 100+ people.