Remembering Faces and Names

[Fergal]

Does anyone have any tips for remembering faces and names?

Unfortunately I'm not very good at recognising people that I haven't seen for sometime. I sometimes find it hard to figure out who someone is, when I meet them in unfamiliar settings. E.g. if I know someone a little in a work environment I sometimes do not recognise them if I meet them out socially.

Even when I recognise the person I sometimes find it hard to place them and figure out who they are and how I know them.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[CEO Smith]

Hi Fergal!!

Usually, it's really hard to recognize someone, especially if you just met him/her in an ordinary, typical place... somewhere you can't remember. Normally, you can recognize someone if he/she does something unique or you know him/her for a very long time. It's man's nature.

My best advice is that you get his/her contact number or probably write it on an organizer or diary that will help you remember names.

Regards,
CEO Smith :)

P.S. Its recognize, not recognise. Thanks. ^_^

[Loskas]

I just read an article about this kind of problem on the newspaper today. I myself remember that I have seen this face before, but I'm really bad at connecting the faces to the names. I wish I could improve this skill.

[abiji]

Well there is a memory improvement system known as "PEG SYSTEM". It helps people remember things they read, people they meet. It has been published in a lot of memory improvement books.

More information on it can be found http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic_peg_system

[mark-20]

hmm that is a problem right enough, however you are not alone i also forget just about everyones name a think its my age lol (25) isnt it bad lol the thing that a try to do is recognise there speech have they got a lisp and can a make a rymhe with there name and with something they wear or do ( a know this is bad and a relly should stop lol ) but what it is, a know the guy has a dimple and at this point a know his name is daren so next time a see him, aw there dimple daren, as simple as that only 10 x more complicated.

[Fergal]

Thanks everyone for replies, some good tips there. More suggestions would be welcome.


P.S. Its recognize, not recognise.
Thanks, but I live in Ireland, which means we use UK English. The word can be spelt either way in UK English. I just checked my Oxford English Dictionary to confirm this :)

[mark-20]

well done there fergal a think thats how it is spelt.(am dexclecsic so sorry for any miss spellings anywhere in a reply etc. that i have made before) what do you think of my meathod? there is a few methods a have heard but a know a guy who thinks to him that if some one has a name e.g. david, he will look like a david he doesnt get it right everytime but he says its better than asking. apperntly there is a program for old people to help them rember peoples names, my local college is crazy lol. a do think it helps them rember other things a dont think it is that bad.

[Fraz!]

I was watching this program on NatGeo of the series 'My Brilliant Brain'.
A lady had a problem same as yours(worse),
she was very poor at remembering faces..i guess some rare neurological disorder.
she said that she remembered her family,friends & relatives by noting
any special feature on their face like peculiar noses, scars etc...
by focusing on these features, and forcing her brain to remember them..
she had developed this habit which helped her carry on with her life.

You Should try the same ;)

[BlueEew]

I don't know what to say really. If I have been with someone and met them before, there fore knowing there name. I usually always remember. The only thing I could suggest is maybe adding them to your phone book. One on a mobile phone, and on most new phones. You can add a picture.

You can then check for them on your mobile. :)

[scifi]

Well Fergal!
I have a very good tip for you from the experience of great Man Napoleon Himself!!!
What he used to do to remember names of the important people is that he tries to use the name of the people he comes in contact with, as many times as he can in midst of their conversation. This really made his mind accustomed to that name & after that; writing that name in a piece of paper he used to tear that paper forever.
This is the method he use to memorize name of most of the people he meets with.........

[youbetcha1018]

Does anyone have any tips for remembering faces and names?

Unfortunately I'm not very good at recognising people that I haven't seen for sometime. I sometimes find it hard to figure out who someone is, when I meet them in unfamiliar settings. E.g. if I know someone a little in a work environment I sometimes do not recognise them if I meet them out socially.

Even when I recognise the person I sometimes find it hard to place them and figure out who they are and how I know them.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Ohh well Fergal, we have the same issue. I am not good in remembering faces and names too. Well, there were several times when somebody will approach me and ask if I still know them, unfortunately I don't. Then they will remind me where did we meet. But still I don't. Ahhh, too bad.

[Kay]

Well Fergal!
I have a very good tip for you from the experience of great Man Napoleon Himself!!!
What he used to do to remember names of the important people is that he tries to use the name of the people he comes in contact with, as many times as he can in midst of their conversation. This really made his mind accustomed to that name & after that; writing that name in a piece of paper he used to tear that paper forever.
This is the method he use to memorize name of most of the people he meets with.........

This was what I was going to suggest too, using the name in the conversation. Just don't overdo it. One tip though for those moments you do forget completely is to pretend you half remembered it.First, you need to admit you've forgotten it though, for example:

"I'm sorry, your name's slipped my mind. What is it again?"

It's Bill Smith."

"Ah of course. I remembered it was Bill, just not the Smith part."

"That's ok, no problem."


Amazingly people take this much better than you saying you didn't remember it at all and often admit to doing the same thing themselves at some point. Of course you can switch and say you remembered the surname and not the first name - choose whichever's easier.

Easiest of all is if it's a business person where you whip out your business card -" Did I ever give you one of my new business cards?" and pray they'll hand you one of theirs in return. ;)

[Fergal]

...use the name of the people he comes in contact with, as many times as he can in midst of their conversation....

Thanks Scifi that is a great tip, that I do try to implement. My problem is probably more to do with faces. I sometimes meet people that know me, but I have no idea who they are. Personally I find this very embarrassing.

I'm particularly bad when I meet people outside of the context, where I previously meet them. For example I find it particularly difficult to place a person, if I knew them in a business context where they are wearing a suit and then meet them some time later in a social context and they are casually dressed.

[Nazreen]

I think that you're the same as my husband, Fergal. My husband also has a problem remembering faces and names. I think it has something to do with our inborn nature. Those who are good in art are better at remembering faces and names, and those who are more technical in nature aren't as good.

The Face-name association method (http://www.memory-key.com/Mnemonics/face-name.htm) described below should also be a good way in remembering faces and names.

Creating a face-name association

* Select a distinctive feature of the face (nose).
* Select a word or phrase that sounds like the name (con rat for Conrad).
* Create an interactive image linking the distinctive feature with the keyword(s) (a man in a prisoner’s uniform — con — rides a rat that slides down the nose).

[Fergal]

Thanks for that Nazreen, you're probably right, I'm much more technical than artistic. I will try implementing that Face Name Association Method and will post back if I see an improvement.

[scifi]

I'm particularly bad when I meet people outside of the context, where I previously meet them. For example I find it particularly difficult to place a person, if I knew them in a business context where they are wearing a suit and then meet them some time later in a social context and they are casually dressed.

I have another great tip Fergal up my sleeves...
Since I also have to deal with lots of people, it happens many times that I forgot about them. Then in those cases if somebody recognize me & greet me, I first try to get comfortable with them over general topics unless until I remember their name in midst of the conversation from the indication they throw at in between.!!!
Even then if it doesn't work I do not hesitate asking them their name in between in a very casual manner like..
Hey Man! I just forgot your name...
OR
Your name..ee...eee......ee..e man!!
I think you got my gesture Fergal....;)

[Fergal]

It's an interesting point Scifi, we are often embarrassed to ask people for their name and this only makes the problem worse and it doesn't exactly make for a smooth comfortable conversation. If you don't know ask.

[deepak_sharma]

I am also not very good in remebering the ames and faces of people. One suggestion which i can give is to keep a small note of each person when you meet them.

[Fergal]

Deepak, do you mean writing something down about the person, after meeting them.

[deepak_sharma]

Yes Fergal I meant this only. I know its not possible to keep a note of every person you meet. But atleast you can make for those who are really important...

[Fergal]

That's a good idea Deepak. If you wrote down a few details every evening on the new people you met that day it would definitely help lodge those people in your memory and improve future recollection.

[PaskalTop]

Admin Edit - Post moved here (http://www.businessadviceforum.com/showthread.php?t=2060).

[ted bailey]

Does anyone have any tips for remembering faces and names?

Unfortunately I'm not very good at recognising people that I haven't seen for sometime. I sometimes find it hard to figure out who someone is, when I meet them in unfamiliar settings. E.g. if I know someone a little in a work environment I sometimes do not recognise them if I meet them out socially.

Even when I recognise the person I sometimes find it hard to place them and figure out who they are and how I know them.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This has always been a struggle for me. So recently I have started to write down everyone's name as I think of their face. Every time I meet someone new I do this. It takes a little time and commitment but it seems to be working.

[Fergal]

When do you write their name down, when you get home after meeting them, or at the time you meet them?

Do you review the names every so often to remind yourself of the people you met?

[scifi]

Hi!ted bailey
Associating some picture already in your mind with something new speeds up your process of learning & helps you remember that thing without any complications. You also have employed a similar kind of method.I guess... But still the questions by Fergal are relevant as we want to know the process you employ in this type of activity & we would appreciate if you share them with us..:)

[ianhutter]

hmmm...
I have the same problem too...
nice advise folks!
I definitely learn something.

[panaache]

Hi

I've been through this phase a long back !
I think everyone has got a unique style of speaking, so what I did,started concentrating on the voice and that really helped me a lot ..
Coversation over the phone can help you in the process.
Once, you'll start recognizing the voice, it will become an easy task for you .

[Fergal]

Strangely enough I'm much better at remembering voices than remembering faces. I will often instantly recognize a voice over the phone even when I haven't heard from the caller in quite some time.

[DEADMAN]

- Interesting question.

The question is like you face a designed material and tell to scratch it out after some times. Fergal, it's all about your memory power. But, here are some tips that should be helping you.

- Talk to the person face to face, discovering their structure.
- Often look for person layout and personality, often clothing choices are preferrable to observe.
- Seeing a person at a glimpse would just make no sense, but when you're facing them and trying to remember them and names, just be conscious.
- Try to remember them after they've gone too. If not write notes about their names and face layout. If a person is slim and black face then you write slim-black and name on notes.

Coincidence result, It was like I met three new girls today for at least 15 minutes and they didn't tell names, lol. Anyways, I can remember them when I see them next time. If they're in college dress, most easy. If not also, it would be easy too.

[simplyjo]

Well try remembering a peculiar thing about that person. Say, something really nice or out of the ordinary in his looks /built / height = anything to grab on to. Then , add that to the name and this will work. I am a team leader so it's very important for me to remember faces especially when a new team comes in - Kinda weird when you need to address a new joinee but forget their names.

[devilbatista]

- Talk to the person face to face, discovering their structure.


I liked this point of DEADMAN. Especially, If we talk to the persons looking at their faces moreover, then we may remember them. We can also recognise by their talking style. Sometimes, we recognise a persons by his/her voice than his/her face.

[medumurty]

I am quite weak in remembering the names and faces of people as I have a forgetful memory and cant remind things quickly. I often visist around 100 people everyday and its quite difficult for me to remember them

[anamaria]

The human brain use some algorithms for remember faces. Own mind make associations with usually things and after deposited the relation face+associated. My advice is to let your mind free , so your brain will do the rest.

[haytham1986]

This is not unusual especially if you meet alot of people daily,,, I suggest that you focus on the people that are more important than others, and save them in your memory

[Fergal]

... I often visist around 100 people everyday and its quite difficult for me to remember them

That's a lot of people. Does your job involve dealing with people?


...My advice is to let your mind free , so your brain will do the rest.

Sounds interesting, can you please expand a little more on how to do that?

[anamaria]

It's dificult to explain be cause that's hapen automatically (like the auto and conditional reflexes). Our brain it's a powerfull machine wich can learn and improve himself. Try to remember a word for example. In mind not appear the word, will appear one image (symbol) and that was the connection from the word to the thing. If i think to an apple, my brain offer me the image of fruit not the letters 'a' 'p' 'p' 'l' 'e'. If i remember one name, my brain wil give me a sequence comic, grave or hilare about that persone (or his face). All that's hapen when we let our mind (and brain) non occured with other disturbed things. P.S. my english is not to good but i hope you will understand me. All the best !

[devilok]

Well i think its just god given . Some people have more digital memory in their brains and others have less. I am not sure if there is anyway to curb this problem. Or you can just and try to make the conversation with that person longer until you completely save him in your brain.:D

[Fergal]

Thanks for the explanation anamaria, so basically I should relax and not try too hard?

[anamaria]

Right, Fergal. Two way is most important to learn and memorise. First (hard for me) is to repeat things over and over until our brain will create a powerfull sign in our memory and that will help us to remember later. Second way is very simple (but hard to obtain) : must be rellax all time, not angry, not sad, a little indiferent, and we will see the things remaind in our mind easy and for long time.

[kutuhiphop]

haha...it is more hard to remebering people names for me....

it is easier to recognize and remembering their face...because its almost not the same face for most people right?

[zui_strumming]

That is one hell of a job, I swear to you.
Remembering names and faces is really tough and most embarassing when you encounter a person who knows you really well(somehow), and you know him too(supposedly) but can't recall his name !!
I think you should meditate in order to chase away absent mindedness from your mind.Yes, absent mindedness is a factor behind this strange phenomena !!

[joseph21]

Wow, I learned alot from the replies of you guys, because I myself is having a hard time connecting faces and names.

[fugems]

It is easy for me to remember people who I meet just one time ... But now ,this seems harder because more people to meet and more names . I'm a chinese ,and my clients are from USA or other foreign country ,I can't recognize their name at once ,but I think I will do it better ...

[johndale]

I sometimes tend to forget the names of people. The more I meet people the more I forget their names. All I can say is they look familiar.

[augest]

I don't have special tips. But I can remember people's face and name even I just only saw them once. Maybe you just should observe people's faces thoroughly, then you will remember them.

[lentrepot]

I am the type of person that can't remember faces and names so this advise was a great help. Thanks! :D

[simple]

Does anyone have any tips for remembering faces and names?

Unfortunately I'm not very good at recognising people that I haven't seen for sometime. I sometimes find it hard to figure out who someone is, when I meet them in unfamiliar settings. E.g. if I know someone a little in a work environment I sometimes do not recognise them if I meet them out socially.

Even when I recognise the person I sometimes find it hard to place them and figure out who they are and how I know them.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've got the same exact problem. I think "we" are getting old Fergal. hehe. Why don't you take a picture of them and wrote down their name. (yes as simple as that. hehe) Maybe you can try this method. I do a lot of this stuff nowadays.

- Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! (jogging, cycling, swimming or etc)
- Exercising your brain by changing the patterns of your daily activities. For example, if you brush your teeth using your right hand, change it to the left hand.
- Do math by throwing away the calculator.
- Learn to play a musical instrument.
- Sing along to your favorite song so that you can memorize the lyrics!
- Study Bahasa Malaysia. I mean foreign languages. :)
- Quit smoking and quit drinking an alcohol. (this is brain enemies!)

[Fergal]

Thanks for the tips Simple, I agree with you, that it is very important to keep your brain active and exercised. By the way when I click on the IQ challenge link in your sig, I can't access the page, because it is asking me for a username and password.

[mariyin4347]

Only if the people is handsome i can remember him

[Fergal]

Only if the people is handsome i can remember him

Lol, good point, it's much easier to remember the faces of people we find attractive.