Does anyone else have great difficulty in remembering people’s names?

[Bevan Price]

My memory was always patchy, even as a kid, and remains that way. My parents would occasionally say that I was like a proverbial "absent-minded professor". So, I could remember some names or faces, but not always connect the name with the face, or vice versa.

As for so-called celebrities, I can recognise very few from their photos. But partly that may be because a lot of them I regard as being of low or zero relevance / interest to me. So, I would recognise HMQ, Prince Charles, Sir David Attenborough and a few others, but I would struggle to recognise most of the other members of the Royal Family.

Also, much as I like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc., I would struggle to remember which tracks came from which album. Nor can I usually remember which actors featured in which film. Strangely, however there was a time when I remembered the names of all the LMSR & BR Standard steam "Namers" (but not the other regions' steam locos)

 

[GusB]

I completely agree with not remembering names out of context. I've embarrassed myself a few times when I've been out on the town and on multiple occasions I have met the same woman I used to work some years ago. She clearly remembers me and always asks how I'm doing, but for the life of me I cannot remember her name!

I used to see her on an almost daily basis, but it was only when she did routine tasks, so it was never more than a quick "hello, how are you?" I worked more closely with others from her department on night shifts and I remember them more clearly, probably because there was more time to have a bit of a chat.

It was even worse when I walked into a pub that I don't normally visit and discovered she was working behind the bar; when she asked "do you remember my name this time?" and my mind went blank, I was mortified!

 

[Calthrop]

As for so-called celebrities, I can recognise very few from their photos. But partly that may be because a lot of them I regard as being of low or zero relevance / interest to me. So, I would recognise HMQ, Prince Charles, Sir David Attenborough and a few others, but I would struggle to recognise most of the other members of the Royal Family.

I like the tale -- from a good many decades ago -- of the lady encountering, at a fairly up-market venue in London; another lady whose face she recognised, and whom she was as sure as may be, that she'd met in the past -- but she couldn't place her. Other lady plainly recognised her, at least as well -- engaged her in conversation. Our heroine "winged it" conversationally as best she could -- came, trying for a clue, to ask the other lady: "And your husband -- is he still in the same job?"

"Oh, yes, he's still King."

 

[317 forever]

I can usually remember the name of someone I've just met. However, if they introduce themselves on a phonecall at work I quickly forget their name.

 

[route101]

When I was younger when I worked in retail, you would always get managers that would look at your name badge and say Hi Derek or drop your name into the conservation.

 

[Simon11]

As well as names, I am also bad at ages too. Even takes me a while to remember how old I am It does keep changing yearly though…!

 

[MotCO]

I've always had that problem, especially when meeting people "out of context". Embarrassingly, I could have a whole conversation on the street with you without remembering who you are. Conversely, I can accurately drive from A to B with just one glance through a road map beforehand.

Mrs O and I actually make a perfect team. She has instant recall of faces - "you forgot that was so-and-so, didn't you?" - but she can't navigate for toffee!

I'm exactly the same. If I meet someone from work in the supermarket, I would not recognise them.

The other thing is that I am taller than average, and people tend to remember me, even if I can't remember them! Often I let the conversation run, and then pick up clues as to their names.