Here is an interesting article written by the American economist Tyler Cowen on what to do if you happen to forget a person’s name. The title of Mr. Cowen’s blog article is “When You Forget Someone’s Name (If You Forget the Name of Someone).”

1. Pretend You have Forgotten Only the Surname of the Person.

If you remember the first name but have forgotten the last name, you simply ask an open question when introducing them to someone else. “I would like to introduce you to John.”

2. Pretend to Remember the Person and Ask for Their Business Card.

Asking a person for their business card if you forgot their name is a polite way to obtain their name in the polite and professional manner.

3. Pretend You have Forgotten Their Name.

A clever technique is to admit that you have forgotten the person’s name in such a way that they think that you commenting in jest.

4. Lavish Praise on the Person Until Their Name Comes Up in the Conversation.

Complimenting a person in conversation will often allow an opportunity for the person’s name to be brought up and it gives you more time to try to remember the name in the first place.

5. Ask the Person to Give You a Hint to Help Remember.

“I do remember, but can you please give me a hint?” is a straightforward way to ask the person for their assistance.

6. Find Out the Name As You Introduce that Person to Someone Else.

“Please let me also introduce my acquaintance! This is ○○.” And, then that self-introduction should provide the information that you are seeking.

7. Ask the Person to Show You How They Write Their Names.

“Could you please show which Chinese characters that you use for your name?” And that person should say their name as they show you the “kanji” for their name.

I guess that Mr. Cohen has had some trouble remembering names in the past so this could be the reason why he could provide so many helpful suggestions for other people who may be encountering the same situation in their interpersonal dealings.

The very best suggestion is remembering the person’s name in the first place.