h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My mum told me a good one for minimising (although not entirely removing) embarrasment when you bump into someone you recognise, and who remembers you, but you just can't recall their name.

You say (rather unpromisingly) "I'm sorry, but I just can't remember your name" and when they tell you, you respond "No, I remember your first name, of course, it was your SURNAME I couldn't get!"

Not perfect, but I have used it.

I guess I'm just brutally blunt. I usually just ask the people, 'What's your name again?' I can see that it's not going to win me any diplomacy points.

Ive become an expert in talking around peoples names...It's quite handy, although not when you're behind the bar and cant remember the name of the guy you're supposed to write a tab for....

'I remember your name, but I just can't remember your face..."

Actually, I also just tell 'em the truth. I have to hear a person's name twice before it sticks. My repeating it out loud after we're introduced the first time doesn't seem to do it. No clue why...

i was told in this situation always say""ah! you remind me of a celebrity his name is so and sao cant remember yours for him""

well mum keeps calling me gareth my brothers name (yes i'm a girl) everytime she says it i go i'm mel

I'm never embarrased to have forgotten someone's name. I just wait and ask them as soon as they wake up...

Seriously though, I usually try a bit of cunning. For example, bring up the subject of awful passport photos on identity cards, and ask to see theirs. Or ask how they spell it (this may backfire if they're called Jim or Jill or similar), if they have a nickname (in which case they may say "No, Just ___).

I like jdjdjd's suggestion - I shall add that to my repertoir.

See, this is where the way I talk comes in handy. For those of you who don't know, which is probably all of you, I like to pretend I'm from the seventies. Therefore I can just call people chick or dude and get away with it!

When I was a child my younger sister (Elizabeth) was forever being called Philizabeth by my mum, but she never got my name wrong. Sure enough, now I have two children of my own the younger one suffers in the same way!

that's strange man!






one can also try (it's hard) to take a look inside the person who's name you've forgotten's portefeuille! It should have at least one bank pass!

My wife has unwittingly renamed our daughters Helouise and Llewellyn. They are in fact Louise and Helen but she always starts off with the wrong name and changes it half way through.

I knew a bishop who called everyone "my dear" because he couldn't remember names.

It's when an aquaintance comes up to you in the street when you are talking to someone and you really OUGHT to introduce them and you can't remember either name that I wish the ground would open up.

then don't, assume they know each other...and one of them will eventually introduce himself to the other!

*Ground heals up*
What a good idea!

thanks! It has helped me on several occasions