A rose by any other word would smell … like a tulipWhat is in a name?Not much, if you’re introducing yourself to me and I don’t have a notebook in my hand.I don’t mean to seem indifferent or callous. It’s just that when I am introduced to people, I usually am so preoccupied with not making a fool of myself that their names slip by without much thought. Of course, if I am on the job, I have a notebook to save me. Once I write it, it’s not so difficult to remember. That’s why local railroad operator Brent Polanchek has always stayed on my mental Rolodex — instead of becoming Brett Polansky or something else I could invent if we had only been verbally introduced. I might have called city clerk Marianne Perkins, just Mary, a time or two. I guess it makes for a nice test of people’s tolerance. I meet Dustin, and call him Nick. I meet Judy, and think she’s Tammy. If they put up with me after that, we can be great friends. Freud even analyzed why some people don’t get names right. He notes that names may be forgotten, falsely remembered, and substituted. Or, memories might be diverted, especially if they are unpleasurable. I hope that doesn’t mean that if I stumbled over your name, I found you unpleasurable.Even when I try the tricks like word association, or mentally or verbally repeating the name, I still might forget. At least I don’t cover with things like: "I guess you just make me all flustered," or "Oh my gosh! Who am I? Where am I?"I don’t even say, "I can’t remember names, but I never forget a face," even though it’s true.Maybe you should take it as a compliment when someone remembers your face and not your name. As Shakespeare so wisely said, "What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet."At least I can comfort those whose names I’ve slaughtered with the fact that by the second introduction and conversation, I will usually have your name, and your life story memorized.So, let’s just make a deal: Don’t be overly flattered if I remember things like your favorite song and all the facts of your astrological sign. But don’t be offended if I forget your name, either.
