Hi everyone!
Okay, so I have a small problem, and that is that I'm horrible with names. I meet people, and unless they really stand out to me, I forget their name within 2 minutes.
At first glance, it might seem that I'm simply forgetful, but as you guys know I'm a programmer. I know entire programming syntaxes that must be perfect. Surely I can remember a name!
I think rather, it's a case of lack of interest. I'm sure many of you have noticed that you remember things you are more interested in. Is it possible that... this trouble of getting a name down stems as a result of a lack of caring about knowing who this individual is?
So what do you guys think? How often do you forget the names of those insignificant people you meet? Do you think it's possible that a sociopath would have greater trouble keeping tabs on name than a non-sociopath? Could this also apply to anyone with ASPD?
Luna
I'm on the fourth season of Game of Thrones and I still don't know the names of most characters. I once worked with a new employee all night for three or four nights in a row, and when someone else asked what his name was, I suddenly realized I'd never even asked. I seldom forget a face, but names elude me. Name-forgetting might relate in some way to sociopathy, but it's a fairly common phenomenon I've noticed.
Lol! If that were one of the diagnostic criteria then around 90% of people would be worried about being locked up.
I'm naturally terrible with names too, but I always make a real effort to remember them. People are easily impressed when you use their name a lot in conversations, especially if you have just met or only met once.
I find for some reason it helps to think of an adjective to go with the name e.g. Tall Veronica, Fat Leanne etc. Also, for the most common names try to think of the first or most significant person you knew with that name, and look for similarities or differences with the person whose name you're now trying to remember. So if I've just met someone called Mark I'd think, okay I have a cousin called Mark, he's ugly as fuck but this Mark really isn't that bad looking etc...
I'm with Luna. I can remember someone's name if that person has something to do with me in some way or if I work directly with this person. Other than that it serves me no purpose to remember someone's name that I run into or I am introduced to. I don't care enough to add them to my mental rolodex. Why would you care to impress someone that dosent benefit you. I guess if you were in a business position that would probably asist you in the long run.