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Pam Lobley's avatar

I can remember the names of the dogs I meet walking, but I can't remember the owners' names. Woof.

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Haha. Same. I’ll even say, Hello Perseus’s mom.

BlackPapers by Bill Black's avatar

It's not just now...I've always had a problem with names. When I coached youth sports "Hey Bud" was a greeting that saved my butt from making a big mistake more times than I can count! Thank goodness I have a phone that I can write down little things so I don't forget with categories like "where things are". Now if I can just find the damn phone!

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

It’s the snowball effect. Hehe.

Roberta Gale's avatar

I just don't remember anyone's name so no one feels left out.

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Haha. “Hey you” always works.

Ken Macko's avatar

Hell yeah I can relate. I don’t call a Dave Pat, but I’m having memory blackouts. I’ll see a face but can’t put a name to it. Forget the name of a street or subject of an article for 5 minutes until it eventually pops up. Drives me nuts ! I can imagine what it does to other people. Gee whiz ! You ain’t alone my dear, not the least bit 🤷‍♂️

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Sorry you experience this as well but at least I’m in good company. 🙏🌺

Norman T. Leonard's avatar

My mom once tried to get my attention and said, “Johnny, I mean, Dave, um, Jack, Sammers, uh…Norman! I swear, I’m losing my mind!”

So in her search for my name, the trajectory was this: brother, husband, ex-husband, grandson, and finally—bingo!—son. Reminds me of that Robin Williams punch line: “Paging Dr Freud…”

Anyhow, you're in good company. ;)

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Haha! Too much testosterone in the house?

Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

Names...all the time. And it's annoying because I used to have a memory like a steel trap. Events, people, names are escaping from my brain at a very rapid rate. I was actually wondering if I was in the early stages of dementia...for real! That being said, both my in-laws and my step-dad had/have it and it ain't pretty. I hope MAID (medically assisted dying) is approved in Canada for dementia. If I do end up getting dementia, I want to check out before I get to where they are now. I don't want to live like that. Or, more importantly have my kids have to witness it. Well, this is a big downer of a comment!! (I'm definitely not a Funny AF woman, am I!)

Anyhow, having wee grandkids, the latest thing they love is Paw Patrol (the theme song is STUCK in my head) and now the oldest is six, Pokemon is making a comeback from my own kids' days. (That's the Pikachu's of the world.) The other weird little thingy is something called an Axolotl. You'll have to look it up. I have no idea how they come up with these little characters, but they're all the rage.

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

You must love experiencing life with the grandkids and their discoveries.

Not depressing. It’s life. Reality. We put our dogs down when there’s no cure and they’re in pain. Wouldn’t it be humane with people?

Jane Deegan's avatar

I can so relate to this as a menopausal mom with adhd, and has been on antidepressants. Good times.

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

You’re my sister from another mister!

Jane Deegan's avatar

I think so 😀

Kim Druker Stockwell's avatar

I definitely confuse names...of everything and everyone and weirdly can't remember anything at all anymore...thank God I keep a journal and take copious photos!! they have dates, times and places!! like, even what museum or street your on....

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Photos yes! And Notes in the iPhone. And calendar. I forgot to look at my calendar today and missed a call. Sigh.

Wendy McWaffle's avatar

Our neighbour, Keith, fell over. Mum went running to him “ARE YOU OK, FRANK??”

Wendy McWaffle's avatar

Nah but he looked around to see where Frank was

Joseph Davis's avatar

I've fallen into the ranks of interchanging my wife's and daughter's names. Fortunately, I've never committed this misnomer with my son.

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Haha. Wife and daughter are probably honored. 🥰

Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

OMG, I have forgotten SO many names and the words just vanish into the ether! I hear you! I did realize about 10 years ago that part of it (for me) is that I'm not a verbal learner - I do not retain information that I hear (eg. names). It's all just a blah blah blah. I preface every introduction with, "I'm terrible at names, so please don't be offended if I ask you more than once!"

It is very freeing, this aging thing --being able to let go of that inner shame. A tip for the stove - does it have an overhead light in the range hood? When you turn on the stove or oven, turn that light on! Make that your mnemonic! Finished with the stove? Check before you snap the light off! This works REALLY well, and I've gotten my elderly mum to start doing it too (she lives in fear of forgetting and burning her house down).

At a party once, I was chatting with a woman I'd met a dozen times (always at parties! always a little drunk, often a little stoned, tee hee). I said, "I'm so sorry, I've a wonderful time talking to you, but for the life of me, I cannot remember your name." She EXPLODED! Caused a scene in the middle of the party, shrieked at me and stormed out. WAH! I shrugged, said, "Better not forget HER name," and let it go. I can't be expected to remember names when the person isn't a regular player in my life!

So enjoyed this, Carissa! Thank you!

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Great tip for the stove!!

Non verbal learner— does that mean better with reading and pictures?

That gal at the party! Oh my! Issues?

Thx. 🙏

Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

Yes, if I read it, I will remember it. Writing (with a pen!) someone’s name over and over? It’s in the hard drive now. If I saw your outfit, I’ll remember it and you (the name, though…gone!).

I’ve never forgotten her name after that - it’s been 20+ years. MONICA. What a cow.

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Monica needs to be a pw or pin. Haha.

I remember outfits too. 👏🌺

Ofifoto's avatar

I had to be good at remembering names when I was a teacher. The little kids got so sad if I got their name wrong, but sometimes we made a joke out of it. I'd get stuck if I had two in the same class who looked alike, and I messed up big time once with girl twins.

My downfall is my hearing, but it's not all me. Lots of people talk so damn fast and they mumble! I have to interpret what my sons say a lot (which is confusing if I don't know the context), and watching TV or films, my husband and I will often ask each other, "what did he say?"

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

That must have been a challenge. Esp at the beginning of the year! Teachers always mispronounced my name. I giggled and corrected them.

Hearing! It’s not all you! I can always tell if an actor ever performed in theatre where you have to enunciate. Marlon Brando being the exception. Hehe.

Ofifoto's avatar

Ok, so now I'm worried that I'm mispronouncing it. Is it Car-i-ssa, or Car-ee-ssa, or is it actually pronounced Jane?

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Haha. Carissa. 😊🙏

Sue Ferrera's avatar

I can so relate!

Terry Freedman's avatar

In Only Fools and Horses, someone called Trigger thinks that Rodney's name is Dave, for some reason: https://youtu.be/eucpZjDCat0?si=1bbryEQPFvDrAoXt

Anyway, worrying only makes memory worse, as does stress: moving is one of life's major stresses.

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

That was hilarious. Thx for sharing.

Terry Freedman's avatar

😁

Larry Urish's avatar

First off: I'm proud to say, Sarah, that I've *never* forgotten a name.

And if it'll make you feel any better, my mother, even in her 40s, would occasionally call me "Rascal," the name of the family dog. (I kid you not.)

(Side note: I gave up antidepressants years ago, after reading "A Mind of Your Own," by Dr. Kelly Brogan. Pick up a copy at your local library (it's free!), if you're curious. If you read one chapter, make it chapter 2. Sorry if this recommendation is overbearing.)

Anyway, Happy Holidays to you and yours, Cindy!!

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Haha. Thx, Kevin. 😂😂

Henny Hiemenz's avatar

OMG this is me. With a solid dash of grumpy old man as well.

But one of the advantages of having had numerous concussions as well as brain surgery is that I’ve had all sorts of testing that confirms my shit memory is not a result of brain dysfunction 🤣

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

What? What kind of brain surgery? Concussion from sports?

Henny Hiemenz's avatar

I had a brain tumor a few years ago. Concussions from football and a serious car accident

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Oh no. Glad you made it thru! Ever write about it?

Henny Hiemenz's avatar

I’ve mentioned it a few times but never published a piece on it

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

My brain fog. I will recall next time.

Henny Hiemenz's avatar

Oh no worries at all, like I said I think I’ve just kinda mentioned it off hand mostly