There’s something about residing in a small town like The Woodlands that almost guarantees you’ll run into familiar faces almost every time you leave your house to go to the grocery store, the library, the mall, movies, etc... And no matter how hard we try, some of us have a tough time remembering people’s names. Sure, there are certain “tricks” that can help you get better at this, but even still there’s a chance a name will escape you from time to time. When this happens, here’s how to handle it:
Scenario 1: Walking down the H-E-B aisle, and it’s impossible to avoid eye contact
You can say: Hi, our boys are in the same Cub Scout troop. Do you remember me? My name is Leah.
By taking the lead and being proactive, you reduce the tension, and she's likely to respond with her name. Make sure to pay attention, and use her name in the conversation. By doing so, you are more likely to remember it in the future.
Scenario 2: At the birthday party, and you’ve spoken to this mom countless times and still can’t think of her name.
You can say: Hey! It’s good to see you again! Another birthday party. They seem to never end! Forgive me, I'm drawing a blank… can you remind me of your name?
By greeting the person, and discussing the party, you change the dynamics. In essence, you are breaking the ice and getting beyond the name issue. Once you do that, you can have an excellent conversation. When she answers, you can say, “Jackie! I should have remembered. How are you Jackie? It’s nice to see you.”
That’s it. No tricks, no rocket science. We won’t remember the names of everyone we meet, but the strategies above will help you get back on track. If you’re genuine in your approach, others won’t mind that you asked them their name again.
