I met a man last night who remembered me from 30 years ago

[Watchbue]

Which is nice but also freaking me out a bit.

I was at a party for my sports club. We are both members, but compete at different levels, so although I'd seen him, we'd never actually spoken.

Last night I made a point of "working the room" and spoke to lots of people from different groups which was nice.

When I spoke to him and laughed about the fact that I'd "known" him for ages, but didn't actually know his name, he said "I know you, you used to go to Gym in our Town c.1992, you used the stepper a lot."

Now it's flattering to think someone I didn't really know recognised me from 30 years ago, I obviously haven't changed bit 😆 but also really weird? I have no recollection of him at all. Also not sure if I did use the stepper, but I was a member at that time.

He also appeared to know my life story, things which lots of people at the club know, but no idea why he would know them.

This is weird, right?

I wouldn’t find it flattering, I’d be a bit creeped out. Likely he fancied you so took a keen interest in what you got up to at the gym, hence him remembering you well.

I'd absolutely remember faces of people I have seen a lot, men and women, even from way back. I am no serial killer or creep.

Well weird. I would feel very uncomfortable about this. @GodspeedJune summed it up well.

Ah, he obviously liked you.

I have a good memory for people as I am a bit of a people watcher. I would probably remember someone if I had paid notice to them.

He could obviously still be a weirdo, but I don't think this would be the only reason.

My only natural talent is an amazing memory for faces. For a long time, I didn't realise this was unusual and I thought that people I would greet from a long time ago were a bit rude. It was only recently that I found out what I took to be basic politeness on my part had freaked a few people out.

Maybe he recognised your name and then realised it was from the gym. Maybe he’s even made a few enquiries in the past , such as ‘I recognise Watchblue but I can’t think where from’ and then someone has filled in the details.

I wouldn’t worry. He’s not approached you in the past and has kept the info to himself.

I went to a talk a couple of weeks ago and recognised someone from school who I hadn't thought about for 30 years. i don't think it's particularly weird.

I don't think he would have even known my name from the gym.

Presumably you did know them though. This is someone who happened to go to the same gym, we weren't friends, or even aquaintances there.

He might be a weirdo. But he could also have a good memory for faces. I remember loads of people, 30 years ago doesn't even seem that long ago for me.

I don't think it's particularly weird

I'd remember any mad person who used the stepper a lot as well!

i also have the same knack as pp for remembering faces and it can be both a good and bad thing!

I remember my time there as being all about weight training! I might have used the stepper to warm up, but I definitely wasn't someone who did long cardio sessions in the gym.

I don't think it's creepy. You approached him to chat - it's not like he stalked you all night, or even on the previous occasions when you crossed paths. I started at a new gym recently and instantly recognised one of the other members from an office I worked as a temp 35 years ago. We never spoke in the office (it was huge) but I remembered him because he has distinctive hair and was an obsessive exerciser (which was unusual back then!). I recognised him 35 years later because he still has the same hair and was overdoing it on the weights! I wouldn't approach him to chat but if we found ourselves talking I would tell him I remembered him from our office days. It wouldn't occur to me that it would freak him out.

When I was 17 I worked in a huge hotel. I remember one evening a lad a bit older than me walking down the corridor. We passed eachother. That was it. Never saw him again.

For no reason he would pop into my mind over the years.

20 years later my best friends brother moved back to the area and I met him for the first time. I knew, I knew him from somewhere. It took about 2 months. Then I realised he was the lad from the corridor.

I didn’t remember him because I fancied him or anything creepy. Just one of those things. No idea why he stuck in my head or kept popping up.

It’s not always weird and creepy remember someone. Especially if you see them over and over in a place. Like he would have seen you in the gym.

I torn between thinking weirdo, best avoided at all costs, and possible relationship material, as he seems to have an interest 😆

Nice looking man and we had a lovely easy chat.

Does he have ADHD??
I remember people I met once 30 years ago but I can't remember updates to policies I read yesterday.

Listen my friend, I met someone at a work event who I fucking SLEPT WITH 20 years ago. He didn't remember me. When I was leaving he said "you must remind me where I know you from". I hope I'm not creepy as I had told him when we were introduced that we had already met!

I remember loads of people from the gym from 25 years ago and I would mention it to them if I met them now. It's a tedious environment so you tend to people watch to stop yourself going mad with boredom.

I don’t think it sounds weird.

I never remember names... but faces are my thing. Id be a bit suspicious that he knows too much about you though.

Maybe he has mixed you up with someone else then?

Maybe, but I was there at the time, which would seem a big coincidence.

I have an uncanny knack for remembering conversations. Not even important stuff, I remember the most trivial conversations from years ago. Maybe he's like that with faces?

It's no big deal

It sounds a good intro if you are interested. My DH remembers people especially if the link is where they worked or if there is a car connection.