When You Forget Their Name – professional etiquette

Avoid Awkward Social Missteps in Professional Settings

You know that awkward and embarrassing feeling when you encounter a customer, colleague or someone you’ve met before, but for the life of you, you can’t remember their name. Worse, you’re with another person and you know you’re expected to introduce them. Simply stating, “I forget your name,” is unflattering for both you and the other person. Asking, “What’s your name again?” is blunt. Getting into a long winded explanation of how you are not good at remembering names belabors the point and draws even more attention to the issue. Next time, try a phrase which, when I have occasion to use it, receives a mercifully forgiving response. “Help me remember your name,” it’s short, tactful and diplomatic. It’s a good start towards digging your way out of the social – and customer service – faux-pas.

Today’s chuckle:

I have changed my mind a dozen times. It seems to work better now.

Written By Jeff Mowatt (original content – not AI generated)

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Jeff Mowatt is a customer service & sales speaker, customer service & sales trainer, a business communication strategist, award-winning speaker, and best-selling author.