# "Let me introduce you to everyone" How many until you blank-out? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 29, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720 "2010-10-29T00:31:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/1 "2010-10-29T00:31:46Z")
I suppose it would be rude if I inturrupted after the thrid person was introduced and announced that if we stop there I might be able to keep track thus far. I’m lousy with names, and of course it can only mean I have no feeling or concern for my fellow human beings, but after **three** they’d better be extending business cards with photos in the handshakes. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/2 "2010-10-29T00:35:12Z")
Two per half hour. I’m in a social club (Couch Surfing) that is known for forgetting people’s names. It’s especially easy for us because a lot of names aren’t even English names. It’s easy, for example, to remember that Mark isn’t Merk, but it’s much harder to remember that Barguv isn’t Barvug. Thus, it’s standard to ask someone to repeat their name at least three times. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/3 "2010-10-29T00:35:59Z")
God, I often can’t remember one individual’s name when they are the only person I’ve been introduced to in days. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/4 "2010-10-29T00:38:45Z")
I often have to travel to cities and run a crew of anywhere from 6 to 60 complete strangers. I can generally remember everyone’s name and face fine throughout the gig. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/5 "2010-10-29T09:26:27Z")
I blanked out as soon as I heard the words. I’m horrible with names. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/6 "2010-10-29T10:04:22Z")
Whenever I’m being introduced to a group, I give warning before we even start that I don’t expect to remember anybody’s name and will have to ask again. Fortunately work is about the only place where I get that, so most people laugh and feel less bad about having to ask again about my own name (which _will_ happen). One person, I may remember. Two, ok. Three or more, unlikely. And if two or more people who’ve been introduced as part of the same batch have the same name, it takes me forever: I’ll think “what’s his name? Oh yes, Chris. No, wait, that other one is Chris. So what is this one’s name?” and ask again. ---
**Author:** ![wayward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a87d85/32.png) [@wayward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wayward)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/7 "2010-10-29T10:23:15Z")
Yeah I usually blank after the first two or three names as well. I figure the group introduction is just that, an introduction to the group. New faces are registered at that point and “Sorry, what was your name again, and how do you know [Mutual Friend]?” serves as a decent conversation starter later on. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/8 "2010-10-29T12:53:10Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > I suppose it would be rude if I inturrupted after the thrid person was introduced and announced that if we stop there I might be able to keep track thus far. You’re not really supposed to remember. There’s nothing wrong with reintroducing yourself if you start talking with someone you just met (or have met 4 times before, but are just bad with names). Just say, “Sorry, I’m Tom - what was your name again? I’m terrible with names/There were too many people to remember earlier/etc.” ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/9 "2010-10-29T22:20:59Z")
I just started a new job this week, and in many cases, I forgot a person’s name in seconds after meeting them. I’m horrible with names unless I see them written down. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Edie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Little\_Edie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Edie)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/10 "2010-10-29T22:25:12Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > I blanked out as soon as I heard the words. I’m horrible with names. Same here. I feel awful about it, too, as much as I convince myself it’s genetic or due to my self-diagnosed autism. It really is, in part, selfish, kind of like waiting your turn to speak instead of actually listening to someone. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-introduce-you-to-everyone-how-many-until-you-blank-out/558720/11 "2010-10-29T22:25:22Z")
One half. I tend to just address everyone I meet as “Ste-”.