How to Find Out Someone's Name When You've Forgotten

It happens to the best of us: you're at a party, walking down the street, or attending a meeting when someone walks up to shake your hand. It's someone you know you've met before, but whose name you can't recall. Now you need some ways to find out someone's name without offending them.

Instructions

1. Ask for a business card if you're at a meeting or work-related function. Take a quick glance at it to glean the person's name.

2. Find someone in the crowd that the person was talking to earlier and inquire about his name. Mutual friends and co-workers are also good sources.

3. Call over a friend or business associate whose name you do know. Act as though you're going to do a formal introduction of both parties, but fake a coughing spell after presenting the person you know. The other party will most likely introduce themselves.

4. Carry on the conversation without saying his name at all. It may even come to you while you're talking.

5. Be honest and simply admit that you're experiencing a temporary brain freeze. Acknowledge that you've met before (and even add where if you remember that information), but that his name has slipped your mind.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep this from happening in the future. When you meet someone new, ensure you've heard their name correctly, asking him to repeat it if necessary. Try to use his name at least three times in your conversation as a way to commit it to memory. Jot it down as soon as you get a chance if you think you'll need to remember it later.