IN MY SHOES: Why They Invented Name Badges
The Stiletto never forgets a face. No kidding. Researchers studying prosopagnosia, a rare neurological malady in which all faces look the same to the afflicted, put a test online so people can determine whether they can distinguish and remember facial features well enough to know when they have seen a particular face before and The Stiletto’s score was off the charts. No matter how many times the familiar faces were shuffled and mixed in with new faces, she unerringly picked out the faces she had already seen.
Names, now that’s a whole ‘nother story. During introductions at a meeting or a party, an unfamiliar person’s name evaporates from The Stiletto’s brain faster than the sound waves created by saying the name aloud dissipate from the air she breathes. It takes multiple introductions for The Stiletto to associate a face with a name.
What a relief that Nora Ephron has the same problem – only she infers it’s an age-related infirmary, whereas The Stiletto fears it’s a congenital defect:
I know you. I know you well. It’s true I always have a little trouble with your name, but I do know your name. I just don’t know it at this moment. We’re at a big party. We’ve kissed hello. We’ve had a delightful conversation about how we are the two last people on the face of the earth who don’t kiss on both cheeks. Now we’re having a conversation about how phony all the people are who do kiss on both cheeks. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. You’re so charming. If only I could remember your name. …
Old friends? We must be. You’re delighted to see me. I’m delighted to see you. But who are you? Oh, my God, you’re Jane. I can’t believe it. Jane. "Jane! How are you? It’s been — how long has it been?" I’d like to suggest that the reason I didn’t recognize you right off the bat is that you’ve done something to your hair, but you’ve done nothing to your hair, nothing that would excuse my not recognizing you. What you’ve actually done is gotten older. I don’t believe it. You used to be my age, and now you’re much, much, much older than I am. You could be my mother. Unless of course I look as old as you and I don’t know it. Which is not possible. Or is it?
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