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?!

A few people suggested looking at 192... Nothing comes up under her address 🤔

So I'm going with ask the postman! I'll report back ..... 😬

The "wait for a Christmas card" plan backfired on us when we felt we left it too long to ask next door their names again... It's either Roy/Ray and Joanne/Jeanne... They had terrible handwriting! Hope they send one first this year and it's a bit more legible otherwise we will have to stick with anonymous pleasantries until one of us moves!

A few people suggested ask another neighbour but (at the risk of sounding a bit antisocial) she's the only one I talk to! The way our street is set up, I'm the end house anyway with no one on the other side of me and she's next to me. So she's the only person I see when in the garden. Can you imagine me knocking on the person on the other side of her and saying "I know I've never spoken to you but... what's the name of the lady next door to you who I speak to all the time ?" 😂 Cringe!

@sillysituation

I've just told DH about this thread and he went "it's Sarah isn't it?!".

How does he know?! Hmmm... 😂

To be fair if she is in her 40s that's pretty likely. There were seven Sarahs in my year at school so 12.8 per cent of my year was a Sarah.

@CeaselessWatcher

She's 49. I know her age but not her name haha

I know this because she spoke about her 50th coming up this year. Oh god it gets worse... how will I get her a birthday card??! 😂

Just be honest and the next time you see her, apologise and tell her you have forgotten her name!

I’d blame baby brain. “I’m so forgetful in this pregnancy, what’s your name again, oh yeh of course, what am I like” kinda thing

As you say you chat to your postman, I'd ask him

Wait I read it wrong, I’ve got baby brain 😂 I’d still use the same excuse

How about this... You bring your baby out some day and hopefully she will be there.... Tell neighbour that you are trying to get baby familiar with peoples name... Hold baby looking at you and say "mammy" and point to yourself... Get neighbour to do same...

No matter what her name is, she will always be Pam to you now lol

Next time you see her.
“I’m so sorry, I’ve forgotten your name, what is it again? I’m having such bad baby brain!”

Have you checked the electoral register?

Settle this sooner than later @sillysituation Why don't you say to her 'this is going to sound a bit stupid but I always call you Sarah and now me and DH have got into a muddle because he said 'are you sure?' and so I'm all mixed up as to whether I'm right or whether I got you mixed up with someone else ages ago and kept running with it?'

Depending on what she says you deflect to DH saying 'what is he like, he got me in a real fix with myself' or 'I'm going to have to let him know I was wrong and he was right, he's going to love this' and laugh. She won't mind especially as you say she's lovely and you get sorted at the first opportunity and come back and tell us

Why not just ‘fess up? She will probably think it’s funny and can’t imagine anyone being offended!

Does she own or rent? If she owns you can pay couple of quid to download her title docs from the land registry website

@SE13Mummy

If I were your neighbour I wouldn't be at all offended if you asked my name after a year! Just say to her, "I'm really embarrassed but I've completely forgotten your name.." what's the worst that could happen?

Yes, do this...and it's also easy to blame a sleepless night if you are holding your baby!

This is hilarious! I reckon asking the postie is a good shout.

I really hope her name is Pam too

If it makes you feel any better my old neighbour told me her name was Rose (not real names but near enough for the point) but another neighbour called her Rosa when talking about her to me. I said to dh about this situation and how I was confused. He pointed out that he was sure she would know what her name was.....

I would ask the postman 😂

My neighbour has mispronounced my name for 14 years 😂 I feel like it’s too late to correct him now.

@Friendlyfired

How about this... You bring your baby out some day and hopefully she will be there.... Tell neighbour that you are trying to get baby familiar with peoples name... Hold baby looking at you and say "mammy" and point to yourself... Get neighbour to do same...

This is the best idea.

Get your DH to pop round one day for a cup of sugar, then get him to say thank you, oh my goodness I've forgotten your name, how stupid of me, what is it? Oh of course DW is always saying how she loves chatting with Pam.