Remembering native language names
Importance of remembering names
A long time ago when I was really interested in business I read a book called “How to win friends and influence people” by Dale Carnegie. One of the most lessons in the book was the importance of remembering names.
Whether we think about it or not, when people use our names it really means a lot. And when they don’t, it takes the relationship back a few steps.
I realize remembering names isn’t easy to do, especially foreign names, but we must make the effort to do so. I can recall a few situations where people avoided using their native language names.
Our Chicago wedding reception
When my wife and I got married we actually had two wedding receptions. One was in Wisconsin and the other one was in Illinois.
Most of my family is in Chicago so my parents wanted to have something there for those guests we couldn’t come up to Wisconsin.
During the reception my dad’s friend was playing saxophone. My father-in-law wanted to thank him during his speech and asked him what he name was. To my surprise simply replied, “It’s Mr. Kim.”
It was funny at the time, but I wonder what kind of difference it would have made if he actually said his Korean name and we used it. I wonder if previous encounters with non-Koreans made him feel remembering names in Korean was difficult task.
Tips for remembering names that are foreign
1. Have you new friend write down his name.
2. Write down the phonetic for it if he/she writes it in their native language.
3.Use the voice memo feature on your phone to have that person pronounce it.
Other tips
1. Find out what name they prefer being called.
2. Ask them if really is okay to use a nickname.
Do you have a name in another language? Do you prefer people using your native language name? Do you get upset when people don’t remember your name? Do you have trouble remembering names?
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
Blog posts you might find useful with remembering names:
How do you make friends from different cultures?
Don’t forget…relationships first!
© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
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