How do I find out her name?

[sillysituation]

In the grand scheme of life this isn't a major problem. But it's a little embarrassing.

We moved house in April last year so have been here a little over a year. The next door neighbour introduced herself in the first few weeks and was so lovely and friendly. She obviously would have told me her name at that point. Anyway, I've forgotten it 🙈

It's more and more awkward with each conversation. We see each other a lot and chat over the garden fence. I had a baby earlier this year and she was so interested in my pregnancy asking for updates on baby's arrival etc, and coos over baby every time I'm outside with her. Basically, I feel as though I have developed quite a lovely friendship with my neighbour over the past year or so. But I have no clue what her name is 😂

And now it feels like it's gone too far for me to ask, if that makes sense? If someone you'd been chatting to for the best part of a year suddenly said "sorry, what's your name again?" you'd be pretty offended right?

My question is ... how the hell do I find out her name without offending her?!

@romdowa

Ask her name and then when she tell you say "oh I know that! I meant your surname" 🤣🤣

This is exactly what I was going to say.

Oh god, I did that with a work contact (one I only see periodically at events and have never never needed to email) - it turned out his name was Tom! He gave me a very strange look as he spelled out T-O-M

that gave me a good laugh.

@sillysituation reckon as you're on chatting terms with the postman then that's your best bet.

@Notaroadrunner

Yeah our postie is lovely. I don't know his name either 😂

Say "remind me of your name I think we've got some post for you"

When she says "it's Sandra" (or whatever) say "oh I know that I meant your surname".

Then when she says "Bloggs" you can say "ah no it can't be for you then"

🙂

I really genuinely think that if you just ask in a jokey way and blame your memory on baby brain she will be absolutely fine ! I forget people’s names occasionally and just refer to myself as being dipsy 😂

When baby is smiling - ask her what you would like baby to call her. When she says "Pam of course" you can say you didn't want to presume and she might have wanted to be Auntie Pam

Ask her to add you to Facebook!
Say something along the lines of "I put a really cute video of baby on Facebook the other day. Add me and you can see it! I'm under Sarah Smith on there, my profile picture is a mountain" etc etc.
Problem solved!

I've had this problem before (really bad with names). I asked another friend to help me out in a sting operation.

I had the friend come round, let's call him John when I knew the other person would be in the vicinity, they popped over to say hello as they often did. I said 'hi this is John', she then introduced herself in response. I quickly ran off 2 minutes later to write down the name! It helps if you have an understanding friend who recognises how shit you are with names and won't let on!

@pingittypong

Ask her to add you to Facebook! Say something along the lines of "I put a really cute video of baby on Facebook the other day. Add me and you can see it! I'm under Sarah Smith on there, my profile picture is a mountain" etc etc. Problem solved!

Agree with this - or say 'are you on Facebook as ill friend you - what's your full name?'

The postman is definitely your best bet. If he doesn’t know, Christmas card. Or… are you or she going away this summer? If so get her to put her number in your phone in case of any house related emergencies.

I’ve lived in my house for 9 years and for those 9 years my next door neighbour has called my dog Harvey… his name is Harry 😂

I hope you find out, I’m intrigued to know now!

@pingittypong

Ask her to add you to Facebook! Say something along the lines of "I put a really cute video of baby on Facebook the other day. Add me and you can see it! I'm under Sarah Smith on there, my profile picture is a mountain" etc etc. Problem solved!

Oh this is a good one, I like it! And I'm always posting cute pics and videos of her so that would work

I have the same name as my NDN and also ND but one! No problem remembering their names - which is just as well as I'm hopeless at remembering names.
I'd definitely ask the postie if he's friendly.

Blame it on baby brain. Just tell her you’ve forgotten anything that happened during pregnancy including where you wrote her name her name and phone number (obviously you know you’ve never asked for her number) could she put them on your phone just so you don’t forget.

My neighbour's boyfriend moved in a couple of years ago and I'm sure introduced himself as Keir. So that's what I call him. Then I overheard someone calling him Kieran. I'm now wondering who's wrong and am too scared to ask 🤣

I used to have a neighbour whose name I didn't know/ couldn't remember - thought I'd wait til Christmas...get a card from them 'to Grenlei and family, from all at no. 135'

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

They moved the following year, never did work out their names!

Also the funny thing is I know all her kids' names as she refers to them all the time when we're chatting. And her hubby 😂 But not hers!!

@Mumvschildren

We had this years ago We knew a bloke called Stan Years later my grandad said 'you know stan?his names Matthew!' 9 bloody years we'd called him stan! Lovely bloke...

This one makes sense to me

Stan(ley) Matthew(s)

My DH calls a someone Stan whose real name is Matthew. Stan is his nickname from school courtesy of Sir Stanley Matthews

Re: the nameless neighbour. I'd just ask her outright and own up to being useless with names. I wouldn't think it rude if someone asked me my name after however long.

You say to her OMG my baby brain.

What did you say your name was again ?

She will invariably reply Jane, to which you reply no I know that it is surnames I am really bad at.

The above got me out of many a tricky situation when I was still working.

Or ask the postie.

I did something like this lived next to a lovely lady June when I was moving she asked why I always called her June "obviously that's your name" nope no I was not she was called Sandra every time I think of this I'm so embarrassed 3 years I was calling this woman June 2🤯😅

Welcome to the world of dog ownership.
I speak to people every day and have done for years, know all the dogs names, not a clue on the owners!

Check the electoral roll, not everyone ticks the box to say they don't want to be listed on the public version so you might get lucky?

I've talked to my neighbour for 7 years, I realised about 2 years in that I don't actually know his name 😂 I'm still sure, it could be Richard though!

I'm absolutely pants at remembering neighbours names. And they are all so chatty making me feel terrible not remembering.
I now use a piece of paper stuck to my fridge with the names and house numbers of people as they pop up in conversation. It's taken me 7 years but I'm almost there! Now the buggers have started to move and new people are in the close.

My top tip is to write it down when you discover it.

I think you should explain to the postman or ask the neighbour the other side.

*not sure