Last night I ventured out to the theatre to see a friend’s show. The play was really good and the audience gathered in the lobby afterward to congratulate the actors…
The lights were low, people were mostly in silhouette, and I had no expectation of seeing anyone I might know. I glanced over to the little bar and I saw a gentleman in a suit drinking a beer. As my eyes adjusted I realized it was my agent. I thought to myself, “Hey, that’s Charles,” so I smiled and made my way closer to him.
I wasn’t sure he recognized me, so I questioned if it was indeed Charles, but I knew he was from my agency so I said, “Hi. Are you Ian?” (Ian is the newest agent at my agency and might not know me out of context).
“No, it’s Charles. Hi Ali,” Charles said giving me a hug.
[color=turquoise]Shit! Insert foot in mouth…and try to dig myself out of the hole.[/color]
“Oh, Charles, I’m so sorry. I knew it was you, but it was dark and it’s so out of context and…and…and…etc, etc.”
Charles was really sweet about it and he proceeded to give me some nice feedback he’d heard from a producer I’d auditioned for recently. We had a really nice chat, but I of course was internally obsessing over the fact that I called my agent by the wrong name!!!
This is one for my memoirs…
What a ditz.
Ophthalmologist’s cure vanity!
Oh, but Dad. I was wearing my glasses! That’s what makes it even worse.
Because I happen to love my glasses, thank you.
Ali,
I have to say a few things here.
One:
That’s not so bad really… forgetting the name of someone you don’t see constantly, agent or otherwise, is forgivable. Might even be good for them not to think you’re grasping at pantlegs to get noticed and remembered. Leave them working at it for a change.
Two:
As a professional in a very similar industry I make it my business never to remember anyone’s name. It seems like my sub occupation.
I walk up to people and smile, awaiting their reply and subsequent introductions. Or, I’ll just say “hey…” and skip all the voice raising and formalities. Seems to wrok better that way.
If, by chance, the moment occurs in the reverse, I smile (same as before) and then turn to my companion and say with a gesture “do you know eachother?” and let them do the introductions.
Between knowing people’s real names, stage names, dj names, and pseudonyms, it’s too much responsibility to keep track of everyone’s hangups.
So i try not to use names.
If for no other reason than it’s extremely awkward to have my mother shout my birthname in a group of people who know me by my dj name, or when standing with a handful of my biker friends to have a fan run up screaming “Sunshine!!!”
Three:
What a great post.
Lookin’ good kid!
*sunshine,
you’re right. it’s probably not as big a deal as I am making it out to be. and the more time goes by the less I’m worried about it…
and hey, it could become a nice joke between he and I sometime.