Any advice on teaching how to remember names?

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LynnInVa
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18 Jan 2008, 7:27 am

We both have this problem. I can meet someone one minute, and before the conversation is over, I forgot their name. :? :?
Same thing is happening to E - since my name memory stinks - I don't know how to teach her...
I'm trying to have her pick up on physical appearance to remind her.

If she is talking about someone at school and can't remember their name, I will try to fish out the info on what the person looks like - but somehow to her - the all look alike!



Lene
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18 Jan 2008, 8:00 am

I have the same problem... it sometimes helps if you give them a nickname, for example 'Annie the Alligator' if the person's name is Annie... I'm not sure why, but it does work!



LadyMahler
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18 Jan 2008, 10:35 am

I try and find some similarity between the person and some famous person (or thing) called, sometimes just more or less, the same.

So say, someone is "Annie", I'll try and visualise the person as a tiny girl with a big head of red curls, like the movie (even if it is a guy. You have to make it weird/funny/interesting, then it sticks...). Or say someone is called Burt, I just see him making a huge burp, then somehow everytime I see him, the picture comes into my head and I remember his name. Eventually, the name sticks without you having to visualise the reminder...

My biggest problem is when two people look a bit alike. To me, they are almost the same person, but NT's seem to not notice that. I get SO CONFUSED in the first few days! Eventually, the face starts to stick though. I really like people with interesting faces or features - makes things much easier.



tamarind
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18 Jan 2008, 10:52 am

I have this trouble too; unless I have met a person 3 or 4 times at least there is virtually no chance I'll remember their name. I don't know what is the answer to this, I haven't found any tricks that work for me



ster
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18 Jan 2008, 11:33 am

hubby has this problem too, and hasn't really found any answers.



EvilTeach
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18 Jan 2008, 12:10 pm

One thing that works for Evil Boy and myself, is to set up multiple links to the name

I have a good memory for faces, names, not so much.

so... an example.... Assume my GP is Dr Webber, and I want to remember his name.

I visualize him standing before me in a lab coat,
with a hamburger flipper, and behind him i see my weber grill.
This is how I visualize him.

My son carries a different picture.

Dr Webber stands before him, and there is this big black juicy spider on his head, spinning a web.

Works for us.

So lets go for it.....

What name do you want to remember?

Maybe we can come up with something that will work for you.....



Triangular_Trees
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18 Jan 2008, 1:57 pm

well this won't help you remember their name after just hearin git once, but I find that when I can't remember who someone is its best to look away and just listen to their voice. Then i can place them



Corsarzs
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20 Jan 2008, 9:11 am

LynnInVa wrote:
We both have this problem. I can meet someone one minute, and before the conversation is over, I forgot their name. :? :?
Same thing is happening to E


You have this problem too, huh? Looks like a lot of us do. Wish I could help. I have about given up, I just tell the person, I just tell the person, "I'll remember you but I'll forget your name next time so please forgive me in advance." Then I repeat the name 5-10 times and hope I'll remember.


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Obres
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20 Jan 2008, 12:51 pm

I read somewhere that if you use someone's name you'll be more likely to remember it. Seems pretty true in my experience. So when someone new introduces themself, simply greet them back using their name.



LynnInVa
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22 Jan 2008, 6:33 am

Great advice - Evil - if I can remember their names I'd tell you LOL

I'm going to try to use their name when greeting them back - I may also warn them in advance that I may forget.

I'm going to have E try this too.



Beenthere
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22 Jan 2008, 11:28 am

As EvilTeach suggested...if you can associate the name with something I find it helps.

Boy, do I have this problem though. :roll:

If they just assigned everyone a series of numbers...I probably wouldn't have any trouble at all. :lol:

I may not know a person's name but I can memorize their license plate number. 8)


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MsBehaviour
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22 Jan 2008, 3:53 pm

I always try and write a name down as it sinks in easier when I see it on paper in front of me. I think that way I recognise the shape, or I will shut my eyes and imagine it being written three times on a piece of paper. I also use an old memory trick of visualising the first letter of their name on their chest and then a ridiculous image to connect to it. So Pauline has a P on her chest and is leaning backwards in my head. P Lean. :wink:

It's probably explained better here: http://www.43folders.com/2006/07/10/remember-names


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EvilTeach
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23 Jan 2008, 7:00 pm

My oh my BeenThere. That is scary. I am cursed with being able to remember license plate numbers.

I wonder if that is an aspy thingy.



mom2bax
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24 Jan 2008, 1:28 am

i agree witht the attempting to use the person's name several times if possible when you first hear it. but i guess it depends on what kind of learner you are, that would work for an auditory learner, writing it down would work for a visual learner. i usually try to pick up something unique about the person to associate with them (charles=big ears)
but i agree with Evilteacher's post too about
visualizing something to do with the person's name.
worse comes to worse just ask again and tell them that you're bad with names.



ster
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24 Jan 2008, 6:04 am

i've been called by the wrong name on numerous occasions....most commonly, people call me Mary.......i don't get offended.