Remember a name to show respect

By Michael Crom
Gannett News Service

Remembering the names of people when you meet them is an important skill many of us fail to master.

The problem is that too often when we are introduced to a person, we don't allow time for proper acknowledgment of their name. We jump right in with questions about work and family and tend to skip over the importance of their name.

There are a few ways to minimize this problem.

• Realize the importance of a name. Remember that a person's name, to that person, is the sweetest sound in any language. By remembering others' names, we are showing that we are genuinely interested in them. Also, using a person's name in conversation sets a more personal and friendly tone.
• Use repetition. When you meet someone, repeat his or her name a few times throughout the conversation. This helps link the name with the face.
• Make an association. Look carefully at the person you are meeting. Notice everything — personality, height, weight, hair color, stance, voice, clothing. Pull-ing out characteristics may help us remember their name in the long run. For instance, maybe your co-worker Barbara resembles your aunt Barbara. This creates a visual that make it easier to remember the name.