Happy Tuesday to everyone — I thought it might be a good day to have a little fun on the blog…
You know what’s funny, is that situation where you need a friend to rescue you in an introduction situation. Here you are and someone whose name you are supposed to know is coming toward you. You are standing with your friend Bob, so you will be expected to introduce them.
So when this person gets to you, you have to rely on your friend to bail you out by saying “Hi. I’m Bob.” This, of course, usually prompts that person to have to identify themselves.
I call this “the fake introduction.” This hearkens back to the “Yo” and “Hey Man” blog I did recently. So, of course, the fake introduction is often started off when the person comes over to you and you say “Hey Man, it’s great to see you!”
I must admit to being guilty of intentionally letting friends of mine sweat it out a bit before I’ll bail them out in that situation. Isn’t it funny when you’re forced to use the “fake introduction friend bailout?”
The really funny thing is that almost every time this situation arises and you learn that other person’s name, after they leave both you and your friend will probably still not be able to remember the person’s name. Your friend will say to you “What was their name again?” and you answer “I have no idea. I can’t remember!”
The only time this fake introduction technique fails is if the other person doesn’t do their part. So if your friend says “Hi. I’m Bob” then the worst thing that can happen is for Mr. No Name to answer with “Nice to meet you” instead of reciprocating the introduction.
Sometimes in life it’s just more fun to sweat it out every time you see those certain people whose names you can never remember. They’re not in your address book, so what does it really matter?
It’s only REALLY embarrassing when it’s someone with whom you do business . . . or someone who’s slept with your wife.
So next time your friend asks you to the fake introduction, bail them out because I believe everything in life comes back to us!
I had never heard of the “fake introduction friend bailout” … that’s genious. Thanks David, I’ll remember that for the future.
Looking at this from the other side… do people forget your name a lot? Being memorable is very important in developing connections with people.
One reason I forget people’s names is that they have not engaged me that much, and so I do not feel the desire to remember their name. Those I get on with well will always earn a part in my memory.
Another reason I forget people’s names is because they tell me what their name only once (before I get to know them).
So how do you get people to remember your name? I get people to remember me (and my name) by
1 – Engaging them in conversation, rather than just exchanging names with no value attached.
2 – Incorporating my name into my stories so they hear my name several times instead of just once. For example you could re-word “My brother asked me to pick him up from a bar tonight” to “My brother rang me up and said “Justin, I need you to pick me up from a bar tonight”". (I don’t consider this lying as the general message is true, and the exact wording is irrelevant)
These two techniques work very well, a gem when meeting a large number of people at once as you’ll be one of the few people whose name everybody remembers… and that’s attractive.
I’d love to hear some feedback.
Justin
I know one how about having a family member or girlfriend find out if the guy likes you or not. This is what I call the dirty work trick. I used to do this when I was younger I had a crush on certain guys and instead of me wanting to know I would have a third party do my dirty work. Did you know I found out a lot of things but beware if a person talks about the one they like for next time you turn around they have them.
I find I forget names when I can’t easily relate it to someone else I know. Being a Dane so many names over here I have never heard before, for some reason it appears harder to remember them. Most of the time I just honestly say I don’t remember their name and apologize in advance that I most likely will forget it again. Have used the friend bailout/introduction before and it works as a charm.
My biggest issue is big more formal parties, I get quite shy and my husband always had a blast “dissapearing” and having me introduce myself to everyone. So much for a wing buddy there. He would too have me do a “friend” bailout as he knew so many and they always remembered his name but he had forgotten theirs.
Justin to repeat your name in a sentence is great too for others as it gives them a chance to remember your name. Likewise repeating the other name of the person you are talking to helps you remember their name better.
Sneaky Sandra but so true. It’s a great way to get a feeler if you are interested in someone and not sure if you want to be all blunt asking them.
lol, never really contemplated the fake introduction before…
Marina
I knew you would like that one…
When I met my new friends, I said my name but also gave a nickname which needed explanation. Then they start asking questions about my nickname or making me nicknames. The result is I’m remembered with either names the next time they see me
This is so true! I never forget a face, but somehow names can be tough. I know this is because I’m a visual learner and I don’t remember things when they are said as much (auditory). A technique that was once taught to me is to say their name again as you shake their hand and look up subtly to visualize their name. This supposedly transfers to the part of the brain that remembers visually. It does work when you focus.
All in all though it does mean so much when you remember someone’s name as it translates to that you are paying attention. And men…women LOVE that!
This is fun! I usually just tell them the truth… and if it’s possible, I’ll give them nicknames. I’ll use this method next time.
Great blog, yeah I have been in that situation many times before. Usually when I see someone and I can’t remember their name I’m usually like “Hey man, what’s up?” or “Hey dude!”.
I think a lot of the reason why we don’t remember people’s names is because we don’t really pay attention when they say their name.
When someone tells you their name, look at them and say to yourself “this is Bob” and then get back into the moment and pay attention to what they’re saying.
When they leave say to yourself “that was Bob, I just had a conversation with Bob.” but don’t say this out loud or you will look like a wacko.
Yea I forget names all the time. But I will allways rember their face.
LOL That was a funny blog.
Sometimes, I’ll just go around the room to ask another person what this person’s name is before I go to the original person and talk to them.
I’ll be honest though. I’ve been making efforts in always remembering people’s names.