Recognising people

Pawnless Endgame · 2 Feb 2011 at 15:42

I'm interested in how well OcUKers recognise people - on the bus, bus stop, café, pub, work and people you've not seen for years. Maybe it's my eyesight (I wear a -26.5 lens), but people regularly seem to recognise me and I haven't the faintest idea who they are. Like for example:

1. I live in Stafford and sometimes go clubbing in Birmingham. A girl comes up to me and say "are you from Stafford?" And I'm like "yeah, how did you know?" "Oh I've just seen you about".

2. We employ a new lady in purchasing. She recognised me, saying that she's seen me on the bus countless times. Yet she's 6' 4", so I should have seen and remembered her but once again I'm clueless.

3. I go on holiday to Tenby, some 220 miles away. When queuing up at an ice cream van, an elderly couple spots me and said "We live just down the road from where you are in Stafford!"

Then I get people from uni who I've not known and say hi to me. Plus, I've had people correctly identifying me from the old Sundissential board (same user name), yet I have no ability of my own to suss them out from photos.

Is what I've written here regarded as normal? Are people usually this good at recognition?

Sp00n · 2 Feb 2011 at 15:44

Some people are more observant of the world around them than others.

Maybe you just stand out more?

Pawnless Endgame · 2 Feb 2011 at 15:46

I wear hearing aids being deaf, so it might be that. Otherwise I'm just a bit chubby, nothing distinct.

Yamahahahahaha · 2 Feb 2011 at 15:46

-26.5? Are you sure?
I'm pretty blind and that's only -6.5!

As for recognising people, I've long since given up trying to remember everyone I meet.
I'm good with names and faces but locasions / occasions I'm totally lost.

Participant · 2 Feb 2011 at 15:47

Yamahahahahaha said:
-26.5? Are you sure?

This, lol. Surely a typo.

Mr-White · 2 Feb 2011 at 15:48

I recognise you from the Monserrat show

MW

twist3d0n3 · 2 Feb 2011 at 15:51

i normally have to do a double take just to notice people i know on the streets

not very observant at all, me

Mint_Sauce · 2 Feb 2011 at 15:56

I usually think I've recognised someone and right after saying hi realise it's not them at all, which is awkward.

From what you've said, it's probably because you wear hearing aids that people recognise you more, it doesn't ever happen to me unless it's people I already know.

edscdk · 2 Feb 2011 at 15:57

you recoganise a human face differently to the way you see a tree or stone,

it is possible for the human face recoganition part of your bain to be totally broken, or not working well..

it is also possible for it to be not working well but you compensiate and live you life never knowing that you were "broken".

I dont't think my face recoganition works well as if a blonde woman changes her hair to black unless there is something striking about her face (ie a big nose) I am not likley to recoganise her... (or maybe everyone finds this)

Mr-White · 2 Feb 2011 at 16:01

edscdk said:
I dont't think my face recoganition works well as if a blonde woman changes her hair to black unless there is something striking about her face (ie a big nose) I am not likley to recoganise her... (or maybe everyone finds this)

I failed to notice my friends sister had changed her hair and had a boob job but I did notice the new tv and surround sound system

MW

Edrof · 2 Feb 2011 at 16:01

I'm really good at faces; it's almost like my special super skill. Names, however...

Deiwos · 2 Feb 2011 at 16:07

I'm extremely good with names and faces, which often results in awkward conversations on nights out and what not when I know who they are yet they don't remember me. This might be because I don't drink so I'm not smashed when people introduce me but still.

stinamoo · 2 Feb 2011 at 16:38

*deleted*

Freelanc3r · 2 Feb 2011 at 16:42

Done a lot of embarassing things whilst drunk?

Might be where they know you from

Tikkabhuna · 2 Feb 2011 at 16:42

I've had people say they met me last night while I'm at uni and not having a clue.

Maybe you're that attractive nobody could forget you.

cHk4 · 2 Feb 2011 at 16:47

I recognize loads of people. I've stopped saying I do... Normally will see someone say hi, they look at me blank and I'm like, yea we met like 7 years ago at xyz, doing xyz. Have a good memory for faces and places tbh.

Tbh I've had people forget me can't see how, there was a dude at school ( granted he smoked a lot of pot ) for about 18 months I would go round his house for lunch and a smoke at least twice a week and when I saw him like 5 years later he was like who are you?

To be fair my real name is Thor, I'm 6 foot 3 and I've always been around the 20 stone mark. I'm not exactly easily forgettable to be honest.

Vonhelmet · 2 Feb 2011 at 16:47

I remember the faces of people who would never remember me.

Pestilence · 2 Feb 2011 at 17:03

To be honest, I couldn't even identify 90% of my neighbours in a line-up.

My mind just doesn't work very well with faces and remembering people. Hell, a few years ago I went back to NI to visit some of my best friends (since high school), and ran into a few of our "peripheral" friends (that admittedly we did hang around with a LOT in those days), and I had literally forgotten who they were entirely.

One girl was exceptionally offended when I couldn't remember her name after she greeted me. It all came back when she told me her name, though.

fiveub · 2 Feb 2011 at 17:10

Are you Robbie Williams?

Morba · 2 Feb 2011 at 17:20

Funny you should ask this. I was at Bristol Childrens Hospital yesterday, as I was walking out the door I heard 'Hi Mark', turned around and it was a bloke who I had not seen for the best part of 11 years!!

Also i've been around the country a few times and said to my wife that I had just seen someone I know!
Most recent memorable one was at Disneyland Paris. I had only caught a brief glimpse of her but knew it straight away. Got home and a few days later she posted pics up from her holiday on facebook.