Last evening, I had to attend a local meeting to ask if something or other could be done by my local council.
When I arrived with a chum, we sat and listened to a presentation by a big builder, to get support for some houses a couple of miles away. I'd actually seen the drawings in the local offices, and thought they looked pretty good, but wasn't aware that the builder - a national name, would also be tugging his forelock to the council members, who were all arrayed in a big semi-circle.
When he was in full flow, I suddenly recognised him from way back, and after the meeting, we had a nice friendly chat and I wished him luck etc, and we went our separate ways!
But for the life of me, I couldn't remember his name...
In the old days, I'd have been, Tom this and Jack that, and Marie the other (watch it), but this time I was really stumped, and wandered out of the meeting in a bit of a daze!
It comes with retirement no doubt...
Foot off the pedal and on cruise control,you don't have to remember anything you don't want to now, good isn't it.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't you just ask him? We all forget names of previous acquaintances. I cannot recall the names (or faces) of 99% of the people I worked with over the past 50 years, Now you have set yourself on the path to perdition. You will wake up at 3am wondering who he was. You will be pondering in the background as you play in your allotment....
ReplyDelete... and then one bright sunny morning whilst in the shower, it will come to you and you will wonder why on earth you spent so much time trying to think of his name - just in case you ever bump into him again in Tesco?
Actually it sometimes comes before retirement...
ReplyDeleteI have several times met people I knew well in a previous life (which ended barely ten years ago), people who addressed me by name - well-known faces, not a clue who they are. I can remember their jobs, what they were good and bad at, projects they were involved in, and so on. But names, not a chance.
Worrying.
Recognising people in the street is my problem. I once walked past my own mother and that was in my younger days.
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right, Thud, and I don't even have an automatic...
ReplyDeleteIt only took a few seconds on the old database, Reevers, which is something that I keep carefully up to date, just in case a few thousand splonders materialise from all my 'hard' work a few years ago!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reassurance, Mr Yacht! I think I was doing all that as well, and before I took down my tile!
ReplyDeleteI find that a big grin, and a big hello can just about suffice, Mr H. I'll test it all in a few minutes, as we're off shopping, and bound to see someone we know!
ReplyDelete