8 ms·

I am lucky in that I am very good with names and faces. I don't know why but I can meet someone once for a brief conversation and remember key points (job, fami

I am lucky in that I am very good with names and faces. I don't know why but I can meet someone once for a brief conversation and remember key points (job, family, where they are from, etc) of the conversation without having to try and still recall that information many years later. The strangest example of this is when I was in a coffee shop in London a couple of years ago and instantly recognised a man in the queue with me as someone I met in an airport over 10 years ago and had a 5 minute (max) conversation with. I remembered his name, that he had a new born son and his sons name, that the birth had been stressful and he was going to take longer off than his planned two weeks so his wife could recover, that he worked in bio-pharmacy research and a few other details. Needless to say he was pretty shocked and clearly didn't remember me (because why would you?!) but we ended up chatting in the queue again and he was amazed I could remember so much detail from an airport conversation. This isn't the only time it has happened either. It happens more often than I realised until my wife pointed out my "freak super power". I don't think I have ever thought of this person after meeting them either. At least not consciously. Yet when I saw his face in that Costa coffee shop it was like an HD video started playing in my head of when we met in Charles de Gaulle all those years ago. The brain is an amazing thing. Now if only I could channel this "super power" (freakish as it may be) for good rather than just being the person friends and family look to when they say "Ohh I recognise that person, what other film/tv show have they been in?" as I always seem to know the answer.

jacobsenscott 8y ago
Politics and sales are two practical uses for this super power. Weather either can be used for good is another question. Any job where part of your job is to make the person you are talking to feel special is where this comes into play.
- make3 8y ago
  sure it can be used for good. it is possible to do good in politics if you are able ethical person, as well as in NGOs / non-profits
DenisM 8y ago
You can have an astounding career in sales (wholesale). A manufacturer can have thousands of retailer clients, as a sales rep or sales manager if you can remember a few hundred you will do well especially at the trade shows because retailers come in in the random order. You will also do well switching from one job to another because that’s also about networking. Do you think it’s contagious, whatever it is you have?
uxcolumbo 8y ago
You could be a super recogniser [0] And you could work for the police [1] [0] http://www.alphr.com/science/1004162/are-you-a-face-super-recogniser-take-this-test-and-find-out http://www.alphr.com/science/1004162/are-you-a-face-super-re... [1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34544199 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34544199
zhte415 8y ago
You remind me of a border-guard. Waiting in line, he walked up to me. "You are visiting $PLACE" I replied yes, sweating slightly as the location was thousands of kilometers from this entry point. "I remember you were working for $COMPANY, are you still there?" Who is this guy was all I was thinking, do I know him? I'm still in the queue awaiting immigration. "Can I see your passport?" Border crossing and border guard. Presenting this and flicking through pages, he smiled widely "See my badge, I stamped your entry 2 years ago (the stamp had his badge number)". He walked off happily. I went through routinely. I'd only ever used this entry once before, that time when seemingly he was behind the immigration desk.
- bdamm 8y ago
  That is truly remarkable. What a nice moment, a human shining through the bureaucracy. And a smiling immigration agent, which is itself a rare treat. Thank you for sharing it!
tempestn 8y ago
I am so envious! I feel like I'm pretty lucky in general as far as innate abilities, but this is one I'm definitely lacking and really wish I had. I'm constantly trying various techniques with varying success, but for it to be easy like that would be amazing.

jacobsenscott 8y ago

Politics and sales are two practical uses for this super power. Weather either can be used for good is another question. Any job where part of your job is to make the person you are talking to feel special is where this comes into play.

make3 8y ago
sure it can be used for good. it is possible to do good in politics if you are able ethical person, as well as in NGOs / non-profits

DenisM 8y ago

You can have an astounding career in sales (wholesale). A manufacturer can have thousands of retailer clients, as a sales rep or sales manager if you can remember a few hundred you will do well especially at the trade shows because retailers come in in the random order. You will also do well switching from one job to another because that’s also about networking. Do you think it’s contagious, whatever it is you have?

uxcolumbo 8y ago

You could be a super recogniser [0] And you could work for the police [1] [0] http://www.alphr.com/science/1004162/are-you-a-face-super-recogniser-take-this-test-and-find-out http://www.alphr.com/science/1004162/are-you-a-face-super-re... [1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34544199 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34544199

zhte415 8y ago

You remind me of a border-guard. Waiting in line, he walked up to me. "You are visiting $PLACE" I replied yes, sweating slightly as the location was thousands of kilometers from this entry point. "I remember you were working for $COMPANY, are you still there?" Who is this guy was all I was thinking, do I know him? I'm still in the queue awaiting immigration. "Can I see your passport?" Border crossing and border guard. Presenting this and flicking through pages, he smiled widely "See my badge, I stamped your entry 2 years ago (the stamp had his badge number)". He walked off happily. I went through routinely. I'd only ever used this entry once before, that time when seemingly he was behind the immigration desk.

bdamm 8y ago
That is truly remarkable. What a nice moment, a human shining through the bureaucracy. And a smiling immigration agent, which is itself a rare treat. Thank you for sharing it!

tempestn 8y ago

I am so envious! I feel like I'm pretty lucky in general as far as innate abilities, but this is one I'm definitely lacking and really wish I had. I'm constantly trying various techniques with varying success, but for it to be easy like that would be amazing.