The How-To Lounge: Remembering Someone's Name

When meeting someone for the first time, do you constantly forget his or her names? I am personally great at remembering, but my best friend is terrible at it -- she has even been known to call people we have known for years by the wrong name! As bad-mannered as it is to forget, forgetting someone's name happens all the time, so don't beat yourself up about it, but if you fall into that category, here are some helpful tips so you never forget a person's name again.

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• Right after an introduction, repeat her name, i.e., "It's nice to meet you Denise" or "Where are you from Denise?" Sometimes saying the name aloud makes it easier to remember versus simply saying it to yourself
• Regardless of where you are meeting someone, pay attention. If you are trying to carry on too many conversations at once, it will be harder to remember someone's name. Same holds true for alcohol, don't drink too much during cocktail hour as that is the time when people are usually meeting and greeting each other
• Try to associate the name of the person you are meeting to an already established friend or acquaintance that has the same or a similar name
• If you are a more visual person, try to associate the face of the new person you are meeting with a recognizable person with the same name. For example, think of Denise Richards when you are trying to remember the Denise you just met at your office party. Try to find any way to bridge the mental gap
• Some people have a hard time remembering things until they write it down. Ask for their business card and write their name and a characteristic that you will remember about that person on the back of the card
• If you can't make a connection to their name or face, make a connection with a word, i.e. Denise sounds like my favorite restaurant Pastise, etc.

I find myself being very impressed when someone I have only met once or twice remembers my name the next time they see me, or even later on in the night. I think it is an attractive quality to posses; it makes me think they care to remember me. I hope these tips were helpful for you, and if any of you have any other ideas, please share them in the comments below!

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