Don’t you hate it when you see someone who you think you recognize but you’re not sure?
There are two scenarios that I can think of at the moment: One; you can’t place the person at all, and two; you’re not sure if it’s the person you think it is or if it’s some stranger.
For instance, I’m sitting in the food court of the local mall, watching a guy who I can see in profile as he talks to a little girl beside him, and I could swear it’s Tyler Stewart, drummer for the band, the Bare Naked Ladies. So, do I go over and say hi to him? It wouldn’t be too weird – I went to high school with him. We were in the same music program together. He has much less hair now… But I’m thinking, if it was him, wouldn’t there be mobs of people hanging around him?
Maybe not.
What do you do when this happens? Do you avoid eye contact and hope they don’t notice you? Do you take a chance?
I once had a woman walk up to me in a shopping mall, much like the one I’m in, and she was absolutely positive I was someone else. She called me “Nicky,” asked me how I’d been doing, and I think she was going to hug me until I managed to get a word in edgewise and tell her she had the wrong person. Wow, was she embarrassed.
Since then, (and even before, but more so since then) I’m very careful about who I approach. Actually, I usually run in the other direction, which is what I’ll do today I think. After all, if I want Tyler’s autograph, I can probably wait ’til the next high school reunion.
February 9, 2014 at 4:45 pm
I can identify with this as it just happened to me on a cruiseship, I was sure I knew the girl, yet wasn’t because she cut her hair and suddenly she recognized me.
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February 9, 2014 at 8:23 pm
That’s the best you can hope for – that they help you out!
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February 10, 2014 at 9:04 am
🙂
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February 9, 2014 at 3:50 pm
I usually get it all wrong and embarrass myself!
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February 9, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Me too!
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February 9, 2014 at 3:39 pm
Ugh! I am way terrible with recognition. Unless, the person is in the exact same clothes and in the same situation I saw him or her in, I hopeless. Many were the times at art exhibition openings when people were waiting for me to introduce them to each other and for the life of me, no light bulb would come on! Sometimes, in desperation, I would just suggest they introduce each other! 😉
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February 9, 2014 at 8:21 pm
That’s an excellent way to do it. 😀 But yeah, I hate it when I see someone that I know I know, but they’re in the wrong place, (not where I’m used to seeing them). I walk around sometimes for hours trying to place where I know them from. It’s frustrating!
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February 9, 2014 at 9:54 am
My mother is constantly confusing me for actor Nathon Fillion.
I think it’s the sherry, personally. }:-)>
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February 9, 2014 at 11:08 am
I disagree. It’s not the sherry. 😉
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February 8, 2014 at 10:50 pm
I have this problem too. If I remember faces I forget their names or I just remember names and no faces. Efficient use of tiny brain space :). Even if I know some one I would never ever approach them and also wish that those who approach me introduce themselves with their names because I might embarrass them by asking that otherwise.
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February 9, 2014 at 11:06 am
I’m horrible with remembering names. I think the worst is when you’re forced, for some reason, to ask someone for their phone number and you write it down and don’t know what name to put with it. If that’s the case, I’ll ask them how to spell their name… and hope it’s not something like “Ed.” 😛
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February 9, 2014 at 11:21 am
😀
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February 8, 2014 at 6:23 pm
I too have been on both sides. I remember walking into a convention and being complemented 3 times before I had been there 5 minutes. This for an event which had taken place the night before, when I was about a four hour drive away.
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February 8, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Wow! You must have looked A LOT like somebody else! Maybe you have a twin…
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February 8, 2014 at 5:05 pm
Just today I was driving v close to my home when I blew the horn at a fella on a bike. I thought it was my husband but alas it wasn’t and as I passed he gave me two fingers and shouted at me!
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February 8, 2014 at 7:34 pm
Oops! Let’s hope you scared the crap out of him to make it worthwhile. 😀
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February 8, 2014 at 4:56 pm
I’d love to go up to them and ask, if I think it’s someone like him I would, if it isn’t you can live with the embarrassment – who else will know?
The main problem for me is – omg is that an ex client? That’s something I avoid like the plague.
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February 8, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Oh yes, it’s even worse when it’s someone you’d rather avoid.
You’re right, who else would know? …except a bunch of people years down the road on WordPress about that time you mistook someone else for “Nicky”? 😛
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February 8, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Hahahaha very good point!
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February 8, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Years ago I was on a bus deep in thought when a quite attractive man drop into the seat beside me, draped his arm over my shoulder, planted a more than friendly kiss on my check and said “Hi Sue!” My name is not Sue. When I turned to face him his face feel. We laughed about it and he got off the bus at the next stop. Not a altogether bad experience.
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February 8, 2014 at 7:28 pm
Haha! I need an experience like that! 😀 Thanks very much for sharing, Sue! … I mean quiall. 😉
hehe
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February 8, 2014 at 4:14 pm
I have also tried both, did learn to tale more care after that time.
Irene
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February 8, 2014 at 7:27 pm
I think the best way to learn is by making mistakes! 🙂
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February 8, 2014 at 11:18 pm
I think, that you are right 🙂
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February 9, 2014 at 11:06 am
🙂
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February 8, 2014 at 4:04 pm
I’ve been on both sides of that. I just laugh and apologize. Or if someone thinks I’m someone, I tell them I’m flattered and smile so they don’t feel bad.
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February 8, 2014 at 4:05 pm
Pamela – grace under pressure. 🙂 Nice idea.
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