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Original poster

to think nobody introduces themselves anymore?

33 replies

OohMavis · 14/05/2016 08:08

As in, "Oh hi, my name's Mavis, nice to meet you"

There are several parents at DS' school whom I've chatted to about a range of things varying from trivial to quite personal at times, and I have no idea what their names are. It's been nearly two years. I can't ask them now! This goes for neighbours, too. I only know the names of the ones who've sent Christmas cards.

They all know my name because I introduced myself, which is a habit I picked up from my old job I suppose, it's just polite isn't it?

OP posts:
sonjadog · 14/05/2016 08:16

It's still normal around here. Maybe it is just in your area?

Frostycake · 14/05/2016 08:18

I agree. I think it may be seen as old fashioned or too formal in some circles though. Its particularly annoying when some names are so ubiquitous such as Katy, Dave, Andy etc..

If I had my way, everyone would wear a name badge! Grin

lightcola · 14/05/2016 08:19

Whenever Someone tells me their name it goes in one ear, and straight out the other. I'm terrible with names, which makes it even more embarrassing.

Tartsamazeballs · 14/05/2016 08:20

If they haven't introduced themselves within a few minutes of first chat, just ask "Oooh I'm sorry, what what was your name- I didn't catch it!"

No need to be awkward!

IJustLostTheGame · 14/05/2016 08:20

Hello
I'm IJUSTLOSTTHEGAME.
How do you do?
I like sewing, gardening and slipknot

katemiddletonsnudeheels · 14/05/2016 08:22

I dread introducing myself because I have an awful first name people always get wrong. It means the first time people speak to me I either have to correct them several times or be called a different name to mine.

TheDowagerCuntess · 14/05/2016 08:26

Hmm, it's a bit tricky with other parents because a lot of the time you get into random small-talk groups that ebb and flow (school pick-up, for example), depending on the arrival/departure of DC, and saying 'hi, I'm Doris, nice to meet you' every time someone joins or pass or waves, etc is just too forced/contrived.

In non-parental circumstances, my experience is that people are pretty good at introducing themselves.

TiggyD · 14/05/2016 08:35

Terrible ettyket to introduce yourself. You need somebody who knows you both to introduce you. Maybe have one of those Masters of Ceremonies at the gate to call out people's names?

winkywinkybumbum · 14/05/2016 08:43

I see what you did there IjustlosttheGame

TheWindInThePillows · 14/05/2016 10:00

I met some older people yesterday (prob 70ish) and they all shook my hand and announced their names, it definitely has fallen out of fashion for social events, although in work situations everyone still does it.

IJustLostTheGame · 14/05/2016 10:21

I always introduce myself.
My name is gaelic and uncommon, nobody outside the Highlands pronounces it right.

parrots · 14/05/2016 10:27

One thing I've noticed is that a lot of people don't introduce other people any more, which I find incredibly rude. For example, when you are talking to two people, one of whom you already know, and the person who knows you both doesn't bother to introduce you. Massive pet peeve of mine. To then introduce yourself to the unknown person always feels like you're making a point about the bad manners of the person who ought to have made the introductions...

FutureGadgetsLab · 14/05/2016 10:29

I don't introduce myself or others. It seems awkward. If someone wants my name they can ask me.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 14/05/2016 10:30

If it's been two years, they probably presume that you know their names. I'm a bit amazed that you've made two years without knowing them, you must be good at avoiding using them!

I introduce myself professionally, and I introduce people who don't know each other so that they have a name and a fact (ideally something that they can talk about, so something in common, but sometimes just their job or whatever if I can't think of anything).

FutureGadgetsLab · 14/05/2016 10:30

one of whom you already know, and the person who knows you both doesn't bother to introduce you. Massive pet peeve of mine

To be fair if people stop and introduce the other person, it interrupts the flow of conversation. When someone's done that t me before, I've suddenly felt awkward and clammed up. I hate it.

TheWindInThePillows · 14/05/2016 10:41

I don't think it stops the flow of conversation if you say 'by the way, this is X, you've probably heard about each other through Y' or 'I'm sure you know/have met X before, haven't you' or whatever. It doesn't have to be formal or with a handshake. It's a social skill.

FutureGadgetsLab · 14/05/2016 10:44

It still draws attention to me/the other person and I heavily dislike it. I've literally stopped talking and walked away before because of it!

ElgartheCat · 14/05/2016 10:45

I make a point of introducing people. I think it's polite and welcoming. I hate it when you are chatting to someone and then someone else comes up and starts talking to the other person or joining in and you have no idea who they are.

I'm quite comfortable saying who I am and introducing myself, but I know that other people are shy. It's basic good manners.

Frostycake · 14/05/2016 22:43

Agree Elgarthecat (love the name!) ... in and out of the kitchen?

Ive had to 'play host' in previous jobs so learned to introduce people properly but nobody else does it and if they do, it's a dry introduction with first names only which is no use to anyone as it leaves both parties scrabbling to find common ground and something to talk about.

I must be getting old...

BackforGood · 14/05/2016 22:56

I introduce myself, and if others don't, then I ask them.
I sometimes don't introduce one person to another because I've forgotten one of their names Grin - I agree everyone should walk round with name badges on.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 14/05/2016 23:03

We introduced ourselves to all our neighbours when we moved in and several of them were Shock and :) because they said nobody does that anymore and it's a shame they don't. Got ourselves off to a good start!

Canyouforgiveher · 14/05/2016 23:07

I believe in introductions and will do them myself and will also introduce myself to people, even if I have met them before "hello, I'm Canyou, we met last year at the summer fete" kind of thing because I know people will forget names.

If I am not introduced to people I will simply say "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name, I'm canyou"

LetsDoTheYogiBear · 14/05/2016 23:26

Sometimes I chat to people and then mid way through the conversation throw my name in/ask them what theirs is if i'm interested in talking to them again. I wouldn't go two years talking to someone regardless of frequency without knowing their name though. Confused

claraschu · 14/05/2016 23:34

Sometimes I don't introduce people to each other because I can't remember one of their names. It is really embarrassing; I especially struggle when I am under pressure, and forget names of people I know quite well. I feel so rude, but there is nothing I can do.

foursillybeans · 14/05/2016 23:37

YANBU and you are not wrong. It annoys me. I am a manager of a dual purpose site. I manage one part and we all work in a tiny cupboard size office together. No new member of staff or casual staff ever bother to introduce themselves. The new manager of the other part started on Thursday and did not even introduce himself to me. Just literally walked around me until I jumped out in front of them an hour later and introduced myself forcing them to shake hands with me. It is really unprofessional in a workplace setting in my opinion.

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