@KateByDesign: Usually, in places large like that, there is a phone directory and in that directory there is usually an office room associated with each name. Some people also have certificates posted on their walls (diplomas, etc) so perhaps when you walk around, you can try to sneak peeks of that, too. I would ask HR for a floor list and try to study as many names as you can (especially of the ones who have been nice to you). I know exactly how you feel - I am TERRIBLE with names and I am starting a new job on Monday and I'm so nervous to not remember everyone's names and it's only like 25 people!!
I am terrrible with names. Being in an office with 250+ folks would be a nightmare for me.
I usually do just what you said, introduce your husband and let them introduce themselves.
@KateByDesign: I wish I had some advice but just wanted to commiserate with you. I'm also terrible with names. I've been working here for six years and there are hundreds of employees. I only know the names of people in my department but very few of those in the other departments. It takes me forever to connect faces and names, so I feel your pain. :)
What I usually do for introductions when I can't remember someone's name is just say, "Hi! This is my husband, ____. So good to see you again!" And smile really big. Usually I luck out and they stick out their hand to introduce themselves to DH and give their name. Hehe.
Tell your husband about the name gap, so he is prepared for you not introducing him. Get him to introduce himself (pretend you forgot) and the person will reply with their name. It makes you seem like you're a bit spacey about introductions, but it covers up not knowing their names!
I'm bad with names too, don't feel bad. It's a big company I'm sure others will have the same problem.
A little thing I do when I'm at a work function, I watch carefully and listen for other people introducing just to catch a few names. Then go up after and introduce my DH, while the name is fresh in my mind.
@Lyndzo: I'm so ADD I would get so jumbled, haha. I would call them my own name!
@KateByDesign: I'm really bad with names too. (And faces! Ugh!) Or do I chance it and do the awkward thing and JUST introduce my Husband and let them introduce themselves? I do this ALL the time and I think (hope?) it's not awkward. It seems to work pretty smoothly, usually.
@lolot: I always notice when people do it to me, so I think that's why I am more nervous to go that route.
I find this so funny...I am bad at remembering adults' names, especially their first names (we go by last names at work). But kids? I probably know four hundred kids' names at our school, and another four or five hundred kids' names at my previous school -- even though I haven't worked there in over a year!
One of the reasons I know the kids' names, though, is that I am in charge of compiling data after assessments, so I have spreadsheets full of kids' names. Maybe you could make a list and then put a little identifying detail next to each person's name. Janet -- white, curly hair, tall...?
@peachacid: Well a part of the challenge is finding out what their names actually are! It's way too late for me to ask them, haha.
Party is tonight! (yikes) I'm super nervous and am NOT looking forward to it :(
Are they planning on having name tags? At my large work functions we always have name tags because we can have hundreds and hundreds of people in attendance. Without tags everyone would end up spending half the night introducing spouses/dates.
@KateByDesign: Good luck! Let us know how it goes, maybe you'll end up having fun after all. ;)
@KateByDesign: This is completely random (well it is name related lol) but I see you all the time on here and I always find it funny how we have such similar screenames, plus my real name is Kaitlin, plus we both had winter weddings!
Are you by any chance a designer of some kind too lol?
I usually get away with "what's your full name?" :P
in terms of introductions, I usually introduce my husband, but he'll introduce himself anyway like:
Me: This is my husband,
Him: Hi, I'm
and the other person would say their name to introduce themselves to him.
god im terrible with names too. ive been teaching a small english class recently, and whilst i know all the names....i dont know which name goes with which kid (shame on me). i just say one of the names and see which one looks up, which clearly wont last forever
i would simply say "hi, lovely to see you! this is my husband" and ask your husband to step forward and say "hi, im [his name]" and hope they reciprocate
@DeathByDesign: So true! Not a designer, but I'm a photographer. So I use Photoshop daily!
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Morning, Girls!
I've been working at my office for about 3.5 months now as a contract employee and I've just been invited to the holiday party and our bosses house.
Now, there are about 250 people on my floor alone that will be there (so large I know my boss doesn't know my name). At some point, I have met and been introduced to every one of them. I don't work closely to anyone since I'm a temp and am pretty much left to my own all day. However, a lot of people will pass by and say hello and comment on what I'm wearing and are very very nice! They all say, "Hi Kate!" "Good Morning, Kate", etc.
Now...out of those 250? I probably know 5 of their names. I feel like such an ass. I can pretty much get around it in the day to day work enviornment, but with this holiday party coming up I'm getting nervous!
My Husband is going to come with me and it's expected that I introduce him to people as we make our way around.
Do I learn their names as quickly as possible (I don't even know how I would go about doing that unless I contacted HR and asked for a floor list). Or do I chance it and do the awkward thing and JUST introduce my Husband and let them introduce themselves?
This seems like such a stupid issue, but I have such anxiety about it! I don't want to seem rude - these people are really nice.