I have a freaky memory. I remember EVERYTHING about a person...what the dog's name was on Little House on the Prairie.....what size shoe people wear...the original members of Duran Duran's birthday...what I had for lunch on Jun 26th 1995. You get the picture. But names are just not memorable.
For example, I was an activities' coordinator at a daycare in high school. Think field trips comprised of bowling, tennis, behind the scenes visits to Pizza Hut , and animal park visits with 25 upset 6- 8 years olds in sweltering 100 plus degree heat. Inevitably, someone peed on themselves or threw up on every outing. Sometimes both. One kid's dad was very nice and always chatted when he picked up his son. I knew his name was a book in the Bible, but I simply could not remember it. So what did I do? That's right. I called him a different name every day hoping he would correct me. It started off as Samuel (I certainly didn't want to offend him by calling him Judas) and progressed to Solomon. One day he came in and I said, "Hello Nebuchadnezzar." He just smiled and chatted for a while. Someone asked what I just called him...when I responded, they let me know he was named Titus. I was close, right??? At least I knew it was biblical.
I worked with the sweetest lady named Davonna. Lovely lady. So kind and genuine. However, during the course of an hour long phone call I referred to her as Lavina, Dawanda, Yolanda, Rolanda, and even threw in Ravine. Surely she would correct me!!! She said no one got her name correct (it was a family name) so she just responded to all of the names. It didn't bother her. Actually, I never correct people when they mispronounce my name.
Maybe this is why celebrities name their kids Audio Science, Pilot Inspector, and Zuma. It is more memorable? Although someone is going to slip and call Zuma Zumba one day.
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