Comments on: Say Your Name

By: Patrick Sheehan

Patrick Sheehan — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:25:37 +0000

I found a typo. First paragraph, second to last line reads, “We are citizens or the world.” However, I believe it should read, “We are citizens OF the world.”

By: RHW

RHW — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:34:33 +0000

Oh, Lord, I’m terrible with names. I’ve tried everything and the only sure-fire method I know of to remember people (professional or social settings) is to consciously focus on them and associate something I learn about them with their name. duh…

One thing that frustrates me is confusing people with similar names. My brother and I are apart by 6 years, but look very similar to one another. Plus our names are only different by one letter. I’m Ron and he’s Rob. So you can guess that I get called Rob all the time. It used to offend me, but then I realized it’s not malicious, it’s just confusing!

I will admit this though: if someone I know should know my name calls me Rob, I will correct them. That’s not rude, I hope.

RHW

By: The Art of Manliness Weekly Round-up: November 7, 2009 | The Art of Manliness

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:51:21 +0000

[...] Always Say Your Name (@ Social Primer) A simple reminder to introduce yourself when you meet new people. Also has great advice on what to say and not say when you remember a face, but not the name. [...]

By: Gleb

Gleb — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:22:14 +0000

I’ve a not so simple first name (let’s not even talk about the last), and I find it really annoying to introduce myself:
me: “Hello my name is Gleb”
they: “Glib?”
me: “Gleb. Gee el ee bee.”

any tips?

Dear Gleb,
First of all, celebrate your differences. Imagine all the John Smiths our there who have to listen to the comments they must receive over their name. Second, we all have our burdens to bear, so buck up and spell it out. Think about it this way, as tiring as it is to repeat and spell your name with every introduction, I imagine yours is a difficult name to forget. Now isn’t this better, this walking on the sunny side of the street?
Cordially,
SP

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:55:58 +0000

SO true. What is a person (me) supposed to do when meeting a professional associate for the 2nd time? The first time we met, we had a 45 min in-depth conversation during which she took notes about me and my personal history, and then we connected over the fact that we have a mutual friend/business associate whom she is quite close to and was very excited to know that I knew as well. We emailed several times over the next couple months, and upon our 2nd meeting she introduced herself again – not in a way to avoid any awkwardness on my part, but by stating, after her name, that “it’s so hard when you’re emailing with people and you have no idea who they are – it’s good to finally put a face with your name” Of course, after she said her name (which I knew, but it was good of her to mention again), I responded with, “Yes, we’ve met, so nice to see you again” but she had jumped into her rambling so quickly that the effect was the two of us just talking past each other and me feeling ridiculously uncomfortable that she had no idea who I was despite our already having an established relationship.

By: silvestre

silvestre — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:14:47 +0000

Dear SP,

But what if the person you are introducing yourself with does not say his last name immediately? I know, you said that it is not rude to ask someone directly for his last name, and even if I do, but he finds himself offended? Say, it’s to private…? What is the correct response and is that “justified”?

Kind regards,
Silvo

Dear Silvo,
I think what’s best in this situation is a gentle prod. “I didn’t catch your last name.” I say this all the time. Especially with foreign or unusual names. I will sometimes even spell it for them to make sure I have it right. If he refuses or says it is private, which I can’t imagine anyone saying, then that will be that.
Cordially,
SP