Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Great Tip Tuesday

What's your name again???

If you know me in real life, you know I suck rotten eggs on remembering people's names. I mean seriously, it's a problem. Rachel comes over almost every day and I forget her name!!!! Ugh! And it's sort of embarrassing AND insulting to the other person when you completely draw a blank. Especially when they just told you yet again five minutes ago!!!! Also, if I get your name completely wrong in my head, too bad. You will just have to change your name because once it does get stuck in there, there's nothing I can do, lol!!

So here are seven tips to help us out, by Gretchen Rubin:

1. The "I know your name, but I'm blocked dodge": I keep wanting to call you "David", but I know that's not right.

2. The "Of course I know you - in fact, I want all your information" dodge: "Hey, I'd love to get your card."

3. The "Tip of my tongue" dodge": "I know I know your name, but I'm blanking right now."

4. The "You're brilliant" dodge: "Wow, you have a terrific memory. I can't believe you remember my name from that meeting six months ago."

5. The "Sure, I remember you" dodge: "Remind me - what's your last name?" If you ask a person for his last name, he's likely to repeat both names. "Doe, John Doe."

6. The "One-sided introduction" dodge: "Let me introduce you to Pat", you say to Nameless One. You introduce the two and Pat's name. Usually Nameless One will volunteer a name.

7. Remember that people might not remember your name. Err on the side of re-introducing yourself. And don't be offended if someone forgets your name.

I'm not sure these will work, but why not try 'em out!! Thank you ALL for the birthday wishes yesterday!!! Turns out around 3 PM I got struck down with one of my wicked bad headaches. I took medicine right away and held my head together with a mint pillow (I got it in one of my swaps on Swap Bot and it truly is one of the best things I EVER got!!). The only ray of sunshine I had was that Rachel came over with my beautiful handmade prezzie (pictures later), and brought her girls over to keep The Bella entertained. Thomas offered to go out and pick up Applebee's instead and as much as I really wanted Olive Garden, I said ok. Major bummer and no tirimasu!!!! By the time he got back my headache was gone. So we ate and then played Wii Fit Plus and Just Dance (videos later today!!!). Rachel felt bad that I didn't have cake or anything, so she made me a huge plate of no bake cookies that TOTALLY ROCKED! I will get the recipe from her today because hers truly are the very, very bestest! I didn't get a leopard print Snuggie, however I'm off to my Stampin Up site to order the new Sale-A-Bration goodies which starts today. Happy Birthday to me!!!!!! More later...

23 comments:

Allyson said...

Bwahahaha!!! I use the one-sided name introduction ALL the time. I mean..all. the. time. And it works. I'm sure that I'm not being so clever as to actually get away with it but at least the other person doesn't call me out on it. Thank goodness for social norms on politeness.

I'm so sorry you got one of your headaches on your BIRTHDAY. But good that you were able to contain it. I got double pneumonia on my 29th and it lasted for 4 weeks. But don't let T get away without getting you tirimasu. And a leopard-print Snuggie because girlfriend, you deserve it!! Can't wait to see the pics (AND the dance videos). Happy Day-After-Your-Birthday. That's right. The celebration continues all month!!

Evonne said...

Me and one-sided introductions are close! LOL!

I've been told that if you repeat the person's name after being introduced, you'll remember their name. "Hi, so-and-so, nice to meet you."

I'm not saying it works - it's just what I've been told. I'm horrible with names, too!

Alison said...

I totally forget people's names all the time! I also feel terrible when they remember mine, but I can't remember theirs. I feel really bad when I forget my students' names! I see them every day and I still forget!!

Amy said...

I like the tips. I am better with faces than names.

Sorry you did not feel wonderful on your Birthday..

Chickens in the Basement said...

What the heck?!! My husband's birthday was yesterday, too. He also wanted tiramisu! I went to Costco and Sam's. Neither had it. I guess they are keeping inventory low until they finish counting stuff. I called Fresh Market and they said they did have tiramisu. Woohoo! I'm on my way! When I got there, it was a slice of tiramisu sheetcake. Not really what I had in mind. The guy behind the counter said, "That's all we have." The girl behind the counter overheard the exchange and offered to go check the fridge. I was about to blow a fuse! She came out with a beautiful 3 layered tiramisu with loads of cream and chocolate covered coffee beans on top. It's fabulous. Come on up to NC and have a slice!

Happy, Happy Birthday!!
Anna

Intense Guy said...

Hey cool tips. I'm horrid with names (and phone numbers) and will be trying 'em out (if I can remember them)

Sorry your party didn't go as planned. Glad you got that tiramisu and didn't blow a fuse! Although the guy at the counter needs a bit of a chew out.

Unknown said...

Aww that stinks you got struck by migraine land! But at least Rachel made the day!

Lori said...

I just tell people oh sorry I forgot your name, please forgive me. I also introduce the other person, so I can hear their name again... I'm better with faces...

Shell said...

I use #6 all the time! It works most of the time.

Make sure to go get your tiramisu soon.

Is Just Dance fun? I want it!

The Blonde Duck said...

I am a master at #6.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Happy Belated Birthday!
Uh, what was your name again?
Totally love your blog and glad I found it!

Unknown said...

Fun Tips and a great post! I went to a Dale Carnegie course once, and they talked about LMER Glue -

"One of the ways that we show people how to remember names and get people to strengthen their memory is by getting participants to "stick" the name into their long-term memory using LMER glue. This acronym gives us a simple four-step process.

Look and Listen--Look at the person. Get a strong mental image of the person. What characteristics make the person unique? Is the person large, small, tall, thin, lots of hair, no hair? Listen clearly to the name. Ask the person to repeat his/her name if you do not hear the name clearly.free tips on how to remember names

Mind Picture--Associate the person's name with a picture that is easy to recall. The full name should create ONE picture. The person whose name you have made a picture of should be in the picture. Difficult names may need to be broken down into syllables to create memorable pictures. Example: Staneart (Stan-irt)-Picture me STANding up to my waist in dIRT.

Exaggerate--The more exaggerated and colorful the picture, the easier it will be to remember. Make the picture larger than life. Make it funny. Add a little danger.

Repeat--Repeat the name silently to yourself a few times. Try to use the name in conversation. Introducing the person to others can be an easy way to repeat the name without drawing attention."

I like the mind picture best - I have some DOOZIES that I keep to myself, but they do help! hehe!

Happy Birthday January Baby!

AliceKay said...

Good suggestions. I'm getting bad with names these days. (i think its old age setting in)

Sorry to hear you were sick on your birthday (so was i and it sucked) but at least your headache went away and you had a nice time later. No-bake cookies are good...if they're like the ones I make. :)

Heatherlyn said...

It's nice to get love on your birthday. I'm sorry about your headache. You seem to have had a lot recently. Is it a sinus thing?

I have trouble forgetting first names. I'm much better with last names and I can remember random facts about a person but first names ... not so great.

Liz Mays said...

I've done that a couple of times. It's so awkward!! I used to be so good at names. I don't know what happened!

New Girl on Post said...

Ok..this is totally random, but you told me you guys are coming to Italy...right? Or am I imagining that?

Tammy said...

I was just going to ask you how your birthday dinner was...bummer! At least you didn't have to cook with that headache!

I am OCD about clutter too...probably why I go crazy when the house is chaotic.

Olive Garden and Tirimusu this weekend?

Mrs. M said...

Thanks for the tips - I am horrible at name recall! And so sorry I missed your birthday!!! Happy Birthday!!

Anonymous said...

The sad one is our next door neighbor of 5 1/2 years who I continually call Ryan or Shawn and always forget which one is his real name. I'm pretty sure it's Ryan...maybe....

Annie said...

These are all pretty cool! :) I think I also use one sided introduction a lot :)
Glad to here you're feeling better!!

ChicagoLady said...

I'm sorry to hear you got a headache on your birthday, but glad it went away and you were able to still enjoy part of the day with ole what's his name.

Funny you should put up something about remembering people's names, I never forget them. Happy Birthday again, Jessica!

Tamara said...

Yes! This is me. I can remember faces like there's no tomorrow but have a terrible time actually remembering their names. Great tips, I have used a couple before and sometimes I'll just tell them that I'm terrible but can remember exactly when and where we met, but cannot remember their name.

Also since my blog isn't with blogger I'm unable to put any of my other information in. Bummer.

LadyStyx said...

Migraine on the birthday??? Man that SUCKS! *HUGZ*