I Was Thinking... Everybody Knows Your Name

If you were a fan of “Cheers” you know that when Norm would walk in everyone would respond with “Hey, Norm.” Norm Peterson knew when he walked in, his presence would be recognized by everyone calling out his name. He was also famous for his one line come backs when questioned about his life. “Whatcha up to Norm? My ideal weight if I were eleven feet tall.” The Cheers slogan was ”where everybody knows your name.” It is one of the things that kept patrons coming back.

Your name is your identifier. It is the gift your parents gave you at birth. Some are pleased with their name and while others tolerate it or try to modify it better fit their personality. But whether you use your given name or a more preferred nickname, we still like to hear it used.

When I drive up to the bank to conduct some business, it is a more pleasant transaction when I’m greeted by my name. This familiarity also creates a certain level of trust with those with whom I’m dealing.

If we get a phone call asking for Margaret or for Ronnie, I know it is from one of our cousins. Growing up my wife was always called Margaret by relatives and to my older cousins, I was Ronnie. This may be one of the reasons I left Wisconsin.

Sometimes the name you hear isn’t what you expect. On a visit to Kwik Trip, I approached the check out and was greeted with, “Hello, Mr. Albright.” This unexpected address drew my attention. For years, Mr. Albright was what students had called me (at least to my face) but I wasn’t expecting it at Kwik Trip. I soon realized the clerk was a former student and despite being out of school for many years, still used my formal name.

The same has occurred at church when the couple in front of us turned and greeted me after the service. Again, another former student still didn’t feel comfortable with my first name. Also at church, I was shocked when being served communion by a relatively new pastor, he called me by name. I told my wife how impressed I was but then she mentioned I was wearing a name tag.

One of the advantages of living in a small town is that you are known. It may be in the grocery store, the hardware store, or a local restaurant, but while they may or may not actually use your name, they still recognize you.

I meet with a group of men regularly at one restaurant and a waitress could record almost all of our orders without even asking us. But that small-town familiarity can be embarrassing. I once called a friend but mis-dialed. When I realized I had the wrong number I apologized and the person on the other end said, “That’s okay Ron, I do it all the time.” I then recognized the voice, and we continued an unplanned conversation.

There are all kinds of techniques you are supposed to use when you meet someone new to help remember their name. One strategy is to use their name several times in the ensuring conversation. This is supposed imprint that name in your memory.

But at my age that isn’t the real concern. My problem is remembering the names of people I’ve known for a long time. Usually, I end up with a conversation that goes like, “remember that guy that worked at that restaurant, his wife was blonde, they lived south of town, you know who I mean, he used to golf out here.” If I’m with a group of people about my own age, we may contribute more tidbits of information, but no one can come up with the name at the moment. Then ten minutes after our conversation has moved on someone will blurt out the name that has finally popped into their head.

So, while you can remember, make sure you call people by their names as often as you can. People enjoy knowing they are recognized, and you might not remember their names tomorrow.

Did You Ever Wonder? — Why do psychics have to ask your name?

Photo: I was thinking Ron Albright