There’s a woman in town whose path often crosses mine. She is lovely and very sweet and she never fails to say hello to me. And for the life of me, I cannot pronounce her first name.
I know what her name is and at home, it rolls off my tongue (I’ve practiced). There are songs that have her name in the title and songs where her name is in the chorus. You’d think I’d remember this when I see her at the grocery store, the gym, in the parking lot of our kids’ school.
Sometimes, I call her by her daughter’s name. Sometimes, I get it out with the emphasis on the wrong syllable. Most times, I smile widely and nod. Always, I am mortified. I do not blame her if she believes me to be an idiot.
Embarrassingly enough, she’s not the first person that I have had this mental block with. My first week of college, I met a guy named Andy. I thought his name was Gary. Over the next few months, he had to correct me so often that I jokingly began hedging my bets when I ran into him by calling him Andy-Gary. It stuck. He didn’t care much for my company (go figure). Even today, when I thought of him I had to pause and ask myself, Was it Gary? Or Andy?
My apologies kind lady; I mean you no disrespect. I will try not to make your musical name sound so discordant. In the meantime, I won’t be offended if you start calling me something else. I’m thinking I deserve it.
OINKtales 
105 comments
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January 20, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Alison
wait…that guys name is really Andy?he totally looked like a Gary
January 20, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Mary
Wasn’t it? Don’t confuse me!
January 22, 2011 at 6:58 pm
Alison
I’d like a lot of credit for commenting before you got internet famous! love you and proud of you! xoxo
January 23, 2011 at 10:41 am
rhianna12
u cant tell who his name is by his looks!!!
January 20, 2011 at 6:35 pm
NicoleT
Mary…you never fail to eloquently say (and reflect on) what we all are living/thinking/dealing with every single day. You’re brilliant.
January 20, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Mary
Nicole, you are too kind! Thank you for reading and commenting!
January 21, 2011 at 11:20 am
The Simple Life of a Country Man's Wife
That’s funny, Sarah! 😉
January 21, 2011 at 11:27 am
Mikalee Byerman
Can I tell you how often this happens to me? I am now uber-familiar with the look, which is the internal mental process sorting through the following questions:
“Do I emphasize the ‘Mik’ or the ‘lee’?”
“Is the “i” short or long?”
“Should I just say, ‘hey, youuuu…’?”
Regardless, we with lyrical, odd names understand. No apologies or name-altering retribution necessary!
(And btw: Mine is pronounced like “Michelob” only with a long “e” sound at the end. And I tell people that when I meet them. Which often results in my being called “Michelob” with alarming frequency!)
😉
January 22, 2011 at 12:01 am
acleansurface
Mikalee, I guessed your name right the first time I saw it. I think folks make it harder than it is.
January 21, 2011 at 11:28 am
Tori Nelson
Oh, girl! I am a chronic smile and nod type, too! I used to meet people at work, shake their hands over introductions, and forget their names before we’d unclasp hands!
January 23, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Mary the OINKteller
That is so me; I still do that!
January 21, 2011 at 11:43 am
K.B.
I found your post on “Freshly Pressed” on WordPress here, as I was looking around for similar articles.
I, too, have problems remembering names and faces. After I have met someone before, I often immediately forget their names. I have tried mnemonic devices and tricks to remember, but it doesn’t help. I am better at remembering things about them, like stories they told or bits about their life. I don’t have any good suggestions, other than being honest. Everyone flubs up some time!!
This reminds me of a funny situation with my family. They have an interesting problem with my name. As the youngest girl in the family, I always had this association with me as the “little one” or “little girl”. When my first niece came along fifteen years ago, my siblings and parents (even her own mother, my sister!) would call her by my name, and vice-versa. (Though I am very much an adult.). Niece #2 came along six years ago, and they do the same thing. I’m not sure how to break the habit, but my two nieces and I have become used to being called the wrong names.
Labels are really important. I guess that’s why it still bugs me after all these years. I actually just wrote a piece about labels, if you care to read today’s post, “Sewing in New Labels”.
January 21, 2011 at 11:46 am
Liz
This happens to me as well. I always seem to remember peoples faces and my daughters’ friends’ names, but not the parents! It’s embarassing, but they probably don’t remember our names either!?!
Liz 🙂
http://www.secretsofmoms.com
January 23, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Mary the OINKteller
I almost never forget a face. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone up to someone saying, “You look really familiar….” I’ve actually found this strategy makes my problem with names easier. But only if I haven’t seen them in a while and they are out of their normal context!
January 21, 2011 at 11:47 am
She's a Maineiac
I am guilty of this all the time. Sometimes, I’ll get the first letter right. I called a woman named Maureen “Meredith” for days before she finally had the courage to set the record straight. Kinda wished she had piped up sooner so I wouldn’t have looked like a complete nimrod for all those days but…oh well. People still call me “Darlene” (real name: Darla) and I just laugh and let them believe it’s true.
January 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm
kippah
Wow – are you ever a gifted writer, OINKtales! You need to write a book relating to other stay-at-home moms. You have the gift!
January 21, 2011 at 12:01 pm
J Roycroft
Names, my weak spot. Every day I meet new people during my travels. Hard to keep up with all those names and faces. Great post.
January 21, 2011 at 12:05 pm
nelson
I am guilty of that too. I am very forgetful of names! Whenever I’m floated to other units in our hospital, I try to write the names of the people I am working with that day on a small paper, so I don’t have to call them different names whenever I need to ask something from them. Nice post!
January 23, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Mary the OINKteller
Nelson, good tip! Thanks for stopping by. (BTW, I just deleted an inappropriate reply to yours – I think a spammer was propositioning you. If this was someone you know or want to know, let me know and I’ll dig it out of the trash.)
January 21, 2011 at 12:15 pm
CrystalSpins
I have this same problem…but it is usually with names that are very similar like Tanya and Tonya. I tell myself, okay you always call her Tanya but he name is Tonya so say it right this time. And somewhere between that thought and the word coming out of my mouth things get all switch-eroo and I say Tanya. So what I’m saying is…I feel your pain.
Crystal
January 21, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Tweets that mention Playing The Name Game « OINKtales -- Topsy.com
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Andy Android, Things. Things said: Playing The Name Game: There’s a woman in town whose path often crosses mine. She is lovely and very sweet… http://tinyurl.com/4kqnzvm […]
January 21, 2011 at 12:37 pm
beckyyk
I get nervous introducing two people to one another. I fear even if I know their name, I’ll mess it up. And even if I know their name, I still am like, “Wait, is that really their name?”
January 21, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Deanna
Isn’t it odd how our brain can perform remarkable feats like remembering to buy tabasco sauce or remember your first best friends birthday from thirty years ago, but then fail on such simple levels as pronouncing a name?
I experience this regularly, and always attempt to make light of myself when I make the mistake. And never would I be upset if someone got my name wrong or pronounced it incorrectly – even repeatedly – been there, done that.
January 23, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Mary the OINKteller
I hear you. I remember the most obscure things and forget the most obvious. Most people who know me accept it. Those who don’t, well, c’est la vie. Thanks for stopping by!
January 21, 2011 at 12:49 pm
I Made You A Mixtape
Oh, I’ve done that- went to this guy’s party once and I could swear his name was Simon and kept calling him that- turns out it was Michael, which i did not find out until the following day when I was telling someone about this party at Simon’s…. turns out nobody knew a Simon… I once also got introduced to a new co-worker whose name was John- I managed to call him Jill- to his face- right then and there.
January 21, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Mitch Leuraner
I’ve never understood why peope get so hung-up on using the names of people right in front of them. When I bump into someone on the street, I look at them and say “Hi”. I don’t say “Hi, Joe” because Joe is right there and he knows that I am talking to him! I only use names when I am refering to someone who isn’t there at the time – ie. “I bumped into Joe this morning.”
January 21, 2011 at 2:41 pm
imaginecreation
I like, when I’m not paying attention (which is more than I care to admit) for people to address me by name. Um, it gets my attention. Now, the wrong name, you’d think Stacy would be easy but Kacy, Tracy, Macy, Tacy . . . and all variants seem to be the norm. :0) Doesn’t really bother me, but I do correct people. :0) I’m not bothered because I routinely forget people’s names or I make up new ones for them. :0) I like when I’m corrected, and I tend not to forget after that correction. :0)
January 21, 2011 at 1:40 pm
aka gringita
Funny. At my job one of the first people I met insisted on calling me “Donna” for the entire 5 years I worked there. Donna is a fine name… but it’s not mine. It’s not even close. After the first time or two, I stopped correcting him. So, fine, to him, I was Donna. I wasn’t offended or anything but I was always very tempted to start calling him by the wrong name too.
January 21, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Katrina
I’ve done that too with one of the dads at Cub Scouts. Another time I was working at a resort one summer where you serve the same people three meals a day for a week. I kept giving the woman Shredded Wheat. Every day. and she never ordered it. On Friday, she ate it. Poor thing.
January 23, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Mary the OINKteller
I love that she ate it anyway! I probably would have too – I like shredded wheat with honey. Thanks for reading, Katrina, and for commenting!
January 21, 2011 at 2:32 pm
mynakedbokkie
I have had a couple of those- quite nasty. Even worse…. I have been introduced to someone, completely forgotten their name, called them something like “girl” or some other endearing term…. And put myself in a position where a year down the line- I now can’t ask. Big mess. Anyway….
Congrats on being freshly pressed!!!
Xx
January 23, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Mary the OINKteller
Thanks! When I really can’t figure out their name, I ask. Sometimes over and over until it clicks. If I don’t see them often enough for it to click, then oh well!
January 21, 2011 at 3:05 pm
lifewellblended
Very funny, and all too real for me. There is a woman whose son has gone to my son’s school for the last 8 years. Her name is ? I know her last name, but always call her by someone else’s first name. Argghhh! I did it again last week and she looked at me in horror and didn’t correct me. I am attributing my lack of social grace to the fact that a) I have four kids and work full time, b) she looks like the other mother, c) I know her first name ends in a “Y”, like the other mother.
BTW, I read your About page and find we have a lot in common. I am a blogging mom of 4 who work for a gov’t agency who sometimes fantasizes about leaving my stable, well-paying, rewarding career to by a SAHM.
Congrats on being FP!
January 23, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Mary the OINKteller
I am amazed (and gratified) to know that I am not the only one who makes these social faux pas! Thanks for stopping by!
January 21, 2011 at 3:25 pm
jaredblakedicroce
This is not your fault!
People should have simpler names.
~J
January 21, 2011 at 3:53 pm
kingkabuz
You are trying to learn the names, which is a very good thing. Practicing it is even better!
Don’t be afraid that somebody is going to hate you or call you names because you mix up their name, it’s human, and everybody understands this. It’s not the end of the world. 🙂 Relax and it will come naturally!
The biggest thing is to be genuinely happy to see that person, and they will remember that far longer than being called the right name! It may even be fun for them! Something to remember you by!
January 21, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Mary
OMG, thank you so much for sharing your stories with me! I love comments (what blogger doesn’t?) and was flabbergasted when I logged on today and found all this love and support. I’m honored to be among the Freshly Pressed; what an awesome treat! I look forward to visiting your sites and hope you’ll come back and visit Oinktales again soon!
January 21, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Lakia Gordon
Well, my name is Lakia (La-key-ya) and people call me Lakeisha, Lakya (La-kye-ya), and/or Lukia (Loo-key-ya)–my own grandfather calls me this one!! lol . But, it’s cool because I correct them quickly, OR, my infamous line, “You can just call me Kia…like the car.” This helps them remember me all the time. lol. You should try finding something that reminds you of them to make it easier lol
January 21, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Evie Garone
I am terrible with names..as soon as someone tells me, it’s out of my head I’m sure it’s a genetic predisposition and I can’t help it. I explain this to people, so I usually call people honey, sweetie, and other nice thing. Thank God I don’t think woman get busted for doing this like men do for not being PC. I am great with faces, if I’ve ever met you be it 2 days ago or 20 years I will remember you though so I think that covers my butt. That makes it more interesting because I’ll go up to people and say I know I know you and we’ll play the let’s figure it out game…it opens conversations, and I’m usually right!
Good post! Cheers!
January 21, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Dugutigui
When I start reading your wonderful post it come to me something I wrote sometime ago, and I posted in mine. I hope you like it
–
.
There’s a young woman whose path often cross with mine while we are waiting at the bus stop. She is sweet and soft-spoken and never fails to greet me. Sometimes we talk about the weather, when the day is too cold to talk about other things, but I never dared to ask her name, although I would like to know it.
I imagine it’s a musical name and delicate songs will have it in their lyrics, and if I ever get over my shyness or curiosity overcomes me, it would be an unusual name that shall please me.
I think she feels safe by my side, because she always come smiling where I am and there she silent remains until we get on the bus. And I think part of her calm resides in my apparent lack of interest in a conversation filled with questions.
I am glad too when she’s next to me and sometimes I watch her when she seems not to notice. And I love her stillness and inner happiness that invited me to crave for her silent friendship. And maybe that’s why, because her enchantment is haunting me, I guess I never desireth her name.
She is so captivating as she is, that I could not bear that because of my she could change.
.
Waiting At The Bus Stop – Dugutigui
http://damantigui.wordpress.com
January 21, 2011 at 6:30 pm
mamanne
This happens to my daughter all the time! Her name is totally easy but people – even ones we know, who have heard me pronounce the girl’s name – try to add another letter or syllable… it’s weird. Of course, then there was our neighbor we lived next to for 4 years who always called my husband “guy”… like, “hey, guy” or “how ya doin’ guy”…. and my husband has the most common, easy name ever. Guess our neighbor just couldn’t be bothered to learn it!
January 23, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Mary the OINKteller
Ok, your neighbor was bad. At least I’m making an effort. Thanks for visiting!
January 21, 2011 at 7:39 pm
calegar
Oh, my! I have the hardest time with names! It’s always been a mental block. 2 minutes after they leave, I remember their name!
No one can say mine correct and swore I wouldn’t do that to my child….but, I did. Oh hers will be much worse than mine by far – Sandrine. She is only 13 months old and I have heard more variations of this name and have had all my friends “Show” me how miserable it will be for her, buy mutilating it further!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts today!
January 21, 2011 at 8:50 pm
The Perfectly Imperfect One
Love the blog, just read about a dozen or so of your posts. Hilarious!
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed 🙂
January 21, 2011 at 9:20 pm
BK
My trick is when I meet someone, I shake their hand, look into their eyes, and repeat their name. Doesn’t always do the trick, but it helps. When push comes to shove, you might just need to say, “I’m sorry, I know this is crazy, but can you remind me of your name?”
January 21, 2011 at 10:27 pm
markp427
I once had somebody come into my place of employment (retail, back in college) and carry on an entire conversation with me. This guy apparently knew me well, called me by my name, referred to things from my past, and then left with a smile on his face. To this day, I have no idea who in the hell he was…
January 21, 2011 at 11:22 pm
thenakedlistener
Actually, I’m pretty good with names, mainly because I tend to regard almost everyone as a potential customer. Yes, I know, it’s really bad of me and I need to get it under control, I think. Problem is, almost everyone seems to have a problem remembering mine. My name’s Robert, but seems like everyone calls me Richard. Do I look like a Dick? I looked in the mirror and, no, I don’t.
January 22, 2011 at 12:03 am
LL
I did the same exact thing to a family friend’s recently (not-so-recent-anymore) married husband. I ended up calling him “that guy who married Ruth. Isn’t his name James?” despite having attended several dinners served and cooked by him in their home. I finally remember it correctly as soon as I moved away: Andrew. Or is it? I’m not sure anymore…
January 22, 2011 at 12:04 am
acleansurface
Working in schools, I became confused by the first and last names of the teachers. I would never hear the entire names, as the students used only the last, and the teachers used only the first. I couldn’t remember both names for each person, so I usually went with “Mrs. ___” so as not to confuse the children, but I think it made me seem overly formal and stand-offish to the staff.
January 22, 2011 at 1:31 am
sparksinshadow
I got quite a chuckle out of this!
I chose my own nickname at the age of thirteen, because I thought Kathy sounded like a debutante (no offense to Kathys, it’s just not me) and the kids at school inexplicably pronounced my preference for the long version of my name, as Ka-THE-leen. That’s right. Three sylables. With the word “the” in the middle. Don’t ask me why. It was like music when the teachers at school would say my name matter-of-factly. “Kathleen, would you read the next paragraph aloud?” “Why yes, Mrs. Blank! Thank you for saying my name!” Okay, I didn’t really say that at the time, I just thought it.
I bear no ill will to any of those kids, of course. I realize as an adult, that there must be some simple reason (that a linguistics expert could probably explain to me) for their inability to say my name correctly. These things happen. Perhaps I should be thankful for the incentive to be creative.
I am now Ré.
January 22, 2011 at 8:00 am
harkheindzel
So what is the name of that woman?
January 22, 2011 at 8:39 am
sufiaz
im on the receiving end 😦 ..my names sufia..pronounced sooofia. NO ONE calls me that 😦 its everything but what its sposed to be 😦
January 22, 2011 at 9:08 am
Eric Swett
I think everyone goes through an episode or two of name confusion. I spent almost the whole day yesterday calling my supervisor Donna. The problem is that her name is Mary…Go figure.
January 22, 2011 at 10:08 am
rohitmaiya
Nice one. You hav reflected what a lot of people have in common.
You have been clever enough to not mention the kind lady’s name !! 🙂
This is indeed a problem with me. I am a trainer and I keep forgetting the names of my trainees. I warn them before hand that I have this problem and not to feel bad if I stumble upon the names. That solves the problem of not feeling too guilty.
January 22, 2011 at 11:07 am
victoriakraft
Poor you! I hope you’ll get it right 🙂
January 22, 2011 at 11:28 am
kniftykniffens
ok, before I had children I could remember everyones names and their childrens. Now that I have eight children it is much harder. Lack of sleep is one factor, but the other is that my children take up so much of my brain space lol. I have to remember eight birthdays, shoe sizes, what they like on their sandwiches. Is it any wonder I can not remember the name of my chiropractor?
January 22, 2011 at 11:49 am
I’d Like to Thank the Academy… « OINKtales
[…] page. Traffic to OINKtales jumped exponentially and 41 people (and counting!) have commented on “Playing the Name Game.” In the fast-moving world of the internet, people don’t get fifteen minutes of fame. They get […]
January 22, 2011 at 12:40 pm
text me, love mom
It’s the ‘I confuse these things always’ pproblem – does my husband like Dare cookies or Mr. Christie, is my mom’s birthday the 7th or 8th (my mom’s birthday!! – how can that be in the permanently confused list?
January 22, 2011 at 12:41 pm
text me, love mom
It’s the ‘I confuse these things always’ problem – does my husband like Dare cookies or Mr. Christie, is my mom’s birthday the 7th or 8th (my mom’s birthday!! – how can that be in the permanently confused list?
January 22, 2011 at 1:50 pm
rachfenimore
I was wondering how you got the “Share This” for Facebook and Twitter on the bottom of your page. I am fairly new to WordPress and I have a blog http://www.babysitterblab.wordpress.com and I wanted to add that feature. Thank you!
January 22, 2011 at 2:08 pm
blueraindrop
i tend to accidentally use related names… like the daughters name. or roommate, friend, parent, brother, etc.
January 22, 2011 at 2:15 pm
lifeintheboomerlane
If you also have a poor sense of direction, you might have topographanosia (true condition). I have it and I have already forgotten someone’s name before they are finished saying it. I do try really hard, and nothing, nothing, nothing. It makes me crazy. I wrote an entire post about it. Sad.
January 22, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Jessica S
First of all, you are a very talented writer–you really should pursue that. Second, stop beating yourself up. I think that happens to more of us than you think. 🙂
January 22, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Sarah
Love it!
I called one of my girlfriend’s boyfriends (now husband) “Chris” for two years. His name is Nick. Fail!
January 22, 2011 at 4:41 pm
sschuurer
Someone should investigate. There must be some logic to it, a colleague introduced me to his wife called Ashley and I remembered her as Heather, to me they are REALLY similar names. When I referred to her as Heather he looked cross at me and said ‘Ashley’. I apologized and said they ARE very similar names – something he clearly did not agree with. I have the same with month, febuary and august somehow are REALLY similar. How come?
January 22, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Melanie Hillam - Protocol Coach
I have found that the problem only gets worse with age. I used to be great at remembering names. Now I just apologize and say, “I know we met and had a nice conversation but…”
January 22, 2011 at 11:38 pm
shirleymclain930
Boy, can I relate to your situation. I remember someone’s name long enough to nod, smile and say hello. I will remember the face a bit longer but don’t ask me a name. I thought it was a gentic thing.
My dear mother raised her sister Jerry, after thier mother was killed. When I came along, I was called Jerry three fourths of the time. After my sister and I married and had our children, mom would have to go through the complete list of names to get to the one she wanted. Sadly to say I am in the same position now. I looked at one of my granddaughters and wanted to ask her to help me. I know I mouthed like a fish out of water and finally just said, “what ever your name is come here and help me”. I got the Nanna screech, and my name is Kayla.
The family use to laugh when mom would do her name thing. Let me tell you I am not laughing anymore.
Great Blog
January 23, 2011 at 1:12 am
acrankywomansview
great blog! I had the same problem with our across-the-street neighbor’s daughter’s name. I kept wanting to call her a name I knew wasn’t right and I kept asking her what her name was every time I saw her, promising I’d get it right “some day”. I did finally get it right until right now. I read your post thinking it’s like, ummm, er, crap! the girl across the street. . .what’s her name?!
January 23, 2011 at 1:58 am
lukerushly
I have a student whose name I can’t get straight…not because I don’t know it, but because in my head I think that her name should be Melissa, and not her actual name. Not for any reason that I can think of…she doesn’t look like any Melissa’s I know, or act like any of them either. She’s been in my class for a whole semester now, and on Friday I actually had to stop myself from calling her Melissa.
I feel your pain.
January 23, 2011 at 4:32 am
whenquiet
Same with me. I am often saved by embarrassment ‘cos’ the folk in front of me sense my block and offer their names without my asking again:-) But what is worse is looking for keys and finding them in the fridge or looking for sunglasses, and your partner takes them off of your head:-)
January 23, 2011 at 5:38 am
The Dude
I also do this, but only on the day after I’ve had a heavy evening of drinking…
January 23, 2011 at 7:43 am
A.
Ah, I know how it is. I’ve been going to a volleyball club for an year. It’s only one time a week, but I must admit that there are a few girl whose names I have no idea about, not even today, after an year. I remember they introduced themselves to me, and other people called them by their name, but I forgot! I just try to avoid situations where I might need their names, as it would be really embarrassing.
January 23, 2011 at 11:41 am
Mary the OINKteller
Wow peeps! Keep the comments coming! Rachel – to add the share buttons to your posts, go to your blog’s settings menu and look for the share option. I used addthis.com for a while but think the WordPress way is more effective. Kniftykniffens – 8 kids! I am barely clinging to my sanity with 3. You get big props. Kippah, Jessica S, and the Perfectly Imperfect One – thank you! I’d love to write a book. Maybe someday. Shirley McLain – I often call my children by each other’s names. They hate it. I swore I wouldn’t ever do that (my mother calls me all sorts of names, including other peoples’) but alas, I can’t seem to help it. Melanie H – Great advice. If I didn’t respond to you here, or above, check your blog comments. I am making the rounds. Thank you all for stopping by! Visit again soon!
January 23, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Penrod
Don’t over-think those slight embarrassments when you forget somebody’s name. More than likely, as I do, you remember the face behind the name perfectly. My instances of forgetfulness made me uncomfortable to the point where I needed to find a way to lessen the pain. Now, when I first meet someone, and we exchange names and handshakes, I say right out that I am horrible with names and will likely ask you several times before I get it right. That seems to preclude the difficulty at our next meeting.
Recalling the days when I served in the US Army, and was in Basic Training, there was a fellow recruit of Greek heritage. He had one of those names that nobody in the platoon could pronounce. Perhaps his fellow Greeks could rattle it right off, but we were at a total loss. My best recollection of his name was: John Zafinororopolous. Now, the First Sergeant, not prone to being taken aback in any situation, deftly announced to John, that from this moment on, his name would be “alphabets”. It stuck! Soon, John Zafinoropolous was calling himself the same.
January 25, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Mary the OINKteller
Penrod, over-thinking is second nature to me. 😉 I am glad that Mr. Zafinoropolous had a good sense of humor about being renamed.
January 23, 2011 at 3:15 pm
...what's my name?
For 25 years my neighboor has called me Tiki, yes, even in Christmas cards and every time I correct her. She nods and the next time I see her it’s Tiki again.
btw the names Kiki.
January 25, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Mary the OINKteller
That’s terrible! And funny! Let me apologize on your neighbor’s behalf: We are so sorry.
January 23, 2011 at 3:28 pm
halfwayto50
My issue with names is forgetting who I’ve introduced my husband to. Every time we go to a work function, I seem to reintroduce him to people. He kindly says hello and shakes a hand when I do a formal introduction and then turns to me when we walk away and says, “I met him like, 3 times already.” Oops!
January 25, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Mary the OINKteller
Unfortunately, I’ve done that too. My husband has an uncanny memory for people’s names–he used to work for a college and went to lots of alumni events. Sometimes he even remembered people’s graduation year such as, “this is John Smith, class of 73.”
January 23, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Roda
Hi Mary,
You absolutely needn’t worry…we are all guilty of this sometimes. I too have had to pull myself up occasionally having made this mistake. Ouch but it does make you feel a wee bit silly when you realise your faux pas. Guess we are all the same underneath.
You know I started working at abt 18 too and coincidentally it was a govt job and I too gave it up to look after my family…. but after having worked for a good many years. You know a mother never regrets doing things for her kids….but you could possibly start something creative from home which may give you some pocket money. Do read my blog at http://mastermindbyrodalangrana.blogspot.com on my book MasterMind. It will guide you how you may create wealth, health and happiness through using the Law of Attraction. Its not on any religion for its a way of thinking which we need to tweak in order to become gainers at the game of life.
The benefits are so manifold that it would be foolish not to embark on this journey of your life. Take care and all the best…..Roda
January 25, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Mary the OINKteller
Thanks Roda – I am about as crafty as a slug – this blog is about as creative as I get. Thanks for stopping by!
January 24, 2011 at 1:20 am
Connie T
People never remember me, let alone my name. But some people insist that I am someone they know, and I don’t know them. One time when I was working, this lady kept waving at me, so I went over to her and she acted like she knew me. I didn’t know her, but she said I looked just like someone she knew. People sometimes think my husband is this astronaut guy, he does look like one of the astronauts, but they really think he is the astronaut. Sometimes I can’t remember names either. I went to a class about remembering and they say to remember the name, try making it something that you will remember like Mary, the lamb keeper. Then you will see her and say “Humm, she had something to do with lambs, so that would be Mary had a little lamb, oh her name is Mary.
January 25, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Mary the OINKteller
good tips. I’ve started singing the song with the lady’s name in it. unfortunately it has a couple of drawn out notes in the middle of her name – I’m going to have to switch to something else.
January 24, 2011 at 3:53 am
Lucky
“What’s in a name? A rose is just as sweet by any other name”
… But when someone who is in your circle and who you have interacted with, gets your name wrong, personally, I feel irritated.
Though it’s normal to sometimes have the name just slip from your mind..and when that happens I’ve got to really rack my head to come up with what the name was else I feel soooooooooooooooo embarrassed!!
You know the feeling 🙂
January 25, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Mary the OINKteller
yes, I do. thanks for reminding me. 🙂
January 24, 2011 at 5:27 am
Noemi
lol people have that same trouble with MY name… they insist on calling me Naomi.. yeahhh, no. haha You would be suprised though, maybe she doesnt mind the incorrect translation.. or maybe its just me that doesnt care much for the way people say it.. eventually they get it right… u will aswell 🙂
January 25, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Mary the OINKteller
the power of positive thinking!
January 24, 2011 at 7:36 am
brad fallon
Very nicely done Annie!:) Well, everyone of us had that kind of experience, we managed to nod and say hi! but we can’t remember their names. What a shame! It’s alright if they just passed by, the problem is when we are talking with them! How would you have reacted? Me? I made an excuse and say that I have to call someone that time and a very important one!
January 25, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Mary the OINKteller
i usually make a bumbling idiot of myself, such as chasing after her to apologize or calling down a flight of stairs with the right name once I’ve realized my mistake. although with this post, I’ve thought of her so much I don’t know that I’ll ever forget her name again!
January 24, 2011 at 9:14 am
Ryan McGivern
I always tell women that are or look pregnant: “Don’t name your heir Ryan.”
I wish that I had a free cash wash token for everytime I’ve had to tell someone, “No, not Brian. Ryan.” And by the time we’ve settled what my name really is, they’ve figured out that my breath is horrible and they really should start moving along.
I’ve been cursed by many things (damnable good looks, flat feet) but my name is the worst of them all. I’ve tried to compensate for my immediately forgettable name by standing out for either incredible success or (more often) devastating failure but it looks like I might have to wait to be posthumously celebrated for my squandered potential.
I bet they’ll misprint my name on my tombstone.
I once met a guy named (no kidding) Lucius Oliver. How awesome is that? I hated the guy, but I’ve remembered his name for twelve years. How would you feel to be Batholomew, the least known of Jesus’ disciples! This poor chump loses out in popularity to Judas Iscariot, man! Why? Iscariot is an awesome name. Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? No.
That’s it. I’ve decided. I’m changing my name.
From now on just call me Cher.
January 25, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Mary the OINKteller
ok Cher. thanks for stopping by!
January 24, 2011 at 2:41 pm
gmomj
Cary, although I have never had incidence of which you speak I think it not to be such an oincker.
It’s the foreign look of bewilderment on said speaker’s face which is more embaressing.
“Cloudy today” It says.
Great post, Miss Larry.
January 25, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Mary the OINKteller
Thanks Gmomj!
January 24, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Eve
LOL, if you ever discover how to remember people’s names, please track me down and share with me! I feel your pain for I have gone blank and tried the rhyming game, celebrity lookalike, you name it I tried and and now all I do is nod, say hello and hope the conversation is quick so I can scram!
January 25, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Mary the OINKteller
I’ve got the scram thing down pat. If I find something else, I’ll let you know. Thanks for visiting!
January 26, 2011 at 7:42 am
The Bearded Iris
Are you my husband? He has the exact same problem and it cracks me up! We have a running joke about it. I’ve tried to help him for YEARS with mnemonic devices like “His name is Greg, like your brother, which you can remember because they both wear glasses and have B.O.” It doesn’t work. Sorry.
January 26, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Mary the OINKteller
LOL! That is funny! Maybe he doesn’t remember because he has you to remind him??? Thanks for stopping by!
January 28, 2011 at 6:48 am
Simone
Super fed blog, jeg har også en blog, tjek den ud!
http://8klblaabjerggaardskolen.wordpress.com
January 28, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Rebecca
Aweee it happens to the best of us dont worry lol it happens to me a lot too haha an if u have children like me as u said then thats probably why! lol
January 30, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Mary the OINKteller
Worrying is in my DNA, unfortunately. But I try not to sweat the small stuff…too much!
January 30, 2011 at 5:54 pm
gwyncurbygodwin
It is so good to know that I’m not the only one with this problem. My sons tell me to relate the name to something I will remember but then I end up calling the person what ever it was I related them to. Oops. A smile and calling them “Sugar” seems to work for me.
Thanks, Sugar. (just kidding)
February 2, 2011 at 9:55 am
Mary the OINKteller
I think we all feel better knowing we’re not alone! I wish I had the cojones to call someone “sugar” but I fear that’s beyond me. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
January 31, 2011 at 1:17 pm
EndlessExcursions
I am good at remembering people’s name the first couple of days. Then when a month later if I rarely see them, I can’t remember their names. In my head, I am figuring out what their name was during the meeting and afterwards too. Sometimes I remember afterwards. I feel that it is because I never say someone’s name most of the time. I would say “Hi” and go on from there. Other times I hope someone would come along to say their names. Makes it easier. They won’t know that I forgot their names.
February 2, 2011 at 9:58 am
Mary the OINKteller
Your memory is better than mine. Sometimes, when I am meeting someone for the first time, I’ve forgotten the person’s name seconds after they’ve said it and I spend the whole conversation trying to remember. On those occasions, I just ask them at the end, “What was your name again?” Before promptly forgetting it. Again. It only becomes awkward when you see them over and over again and still can’t remember what to call them! Visit again soon!
February 10, 2011 at 10:52 am
Love Shak, Baby » What’s In a Name
[…] why I sympathize with Mary of OINKtales as she struggles to remember the name of an acquaintance, Sometimes, I call her by her daughter’s name. Sometimes, I get it out with the emphasis on the […]