HOW TO GET THE NAME STRAIGHT

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The chief reason you "forget" a name is that you never knew it in the first place. Stop for a moment to think about the usual introduction. A friend of yours says, "I'd like you to meet Mr. New—m." You offer your hand and say "How do you do. Glad to meet you."

Now what is the man's name? Newsom? Newton? Newman? Newlin?

Let's repeat the introduction. The man you have just met is Mr. Newsom. His picture is on the next page. Whenever you fail to hear a name distinctly, don't let it ride, hoping you'll catch the name during the conversation. Speak up at once. Say, "I'm sorry, but I didn't get the name." Your new acquaintance won't be offended. On the contrary, you will be paying him a genuine compliment by showing him that you really want to know who he is. If the name is unusual, or has several forms, ask how it is spelled. "Newsom without an E?" If you know someone else by the same name, find out if he is related. By that time, Mr. Newsom will be getting interested in you, and he will probably break down and confess he didn't get your name either.

So, first of all, get the name right.

Concentrate entirely upon a person's name while you are being introduced, excluding any other impression for those few moments. Wait until you have understood his name clearly before you give any attention to his personality, voice, or clothes. Don't stop to think about what you are going to say next; don't let your mind wander for a split second. Concentrate on getting the name right.

Do you often catch your own name being mispronounced in an introduction? Are you presented as Richards instead of Richardson, or Davis instead of Davies? It's an experience you have surely noticed. Let me give you a tip. When you hear your own name mispronounced, you are guilty of the first step to forgetting the name of your new acquaintance. Why? Because you are listening for your own name instead of keeping your ears open to receive the new one. A minor mispronunciation of your name is just one of many things that may distract you during an introduction. Don't let it happen again. Shut out all irrelevant stimuli, and get the name right.