Jason Kottke in Elk: "My brain has one job when someone tell..."

My brain has one job when someone tells me their name and it just never does it.

July 27, 2023 at 3:26:31 PM

same here.

I'm terrible at this too and always fear folks find me terribly rude.

One trick I've heard people share is to repeat the person's name immediately and then use it a few times in the conversation. That apparently helps you learn it.

@nelson @jkottke I did that exactly once and the result was that I—to my estimation—sounded like a lunatic. But maybe that's better than immediately forgetting people's names?

@waldoj @nelson @jkottke

The only way I can do it anymore is coming up with an inappropriate mnemonic. Sometimes it's great if they do it for me. There's a neighbor here whose name is Kirstie, and it's a tough one (a lot of similar names) and she was like "If you forget it, I curse your tea!" and I haven't forgotten it since.

@jessamyn @waldoj @nelson @jkottke

I think of a famous person I know with that name and it helps me remember surprisingly well.

Replying to someone

@waldoj @jkottke Waldo, I hear you, but some people like hearing their name. Particularly when it's Waldo Jaquith speaking it. Try it again, Waldo!

@nelson @jkottke That's amazing. I will never again forget my name!

@waldoj @nelson @jkottke

I just picture you in a striped red and white shirt. Sorry!

@jessamyn @nelson @jkottke

I was happier not knowing that!