It does make life challenging when you don't recognize people! I have to see them either frequently, or they have to make a very major impression on me for me to remember their face. That, in turn, makes it tough to attach a name to the face that I don't retain. My philosophy is that if it bothers the other person that I don't recognize them, that is their problem. If perchance it is clear that I know someone but can't remember where from, I say so. I am NOT embarrassed by it! Plus, I get lost everywhere. Being navigationally impaired is also a challenge. I navigate by successive approximation -- ask where something is, follow those directions until I get lost again, but am closer, and ask again. Now I have a GPS, though! What a wonderful invention!
Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone else recognizes this.
Sharon
I do not recognize people by face. A problem that runs in my family. When I do massage at conventions, I joke about having them turn around so I can see their back and know who they are. I do not match a name to a face or back. I usually match bodies to symptoms from movement.
I, too, am navigationally impaired. In fact, if he's not sure which way to turn, my husband will ask me --- and then go the opposite way from what I've said. And that's right more often than not.
I step-dad bought me my first GPS about five years ago. I can't live without one now.
I'm great at remembering names and faces, though, which was good when my husband was in the ministry!
Hi, Sharon,
No, not the face blindness, but the great doctor and writer, Oliver Sacks, has it.
Have you read his stuff?
Oliver Sacks, M.D. is a physician, best-selling author, and professor of neurology and psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center.
I do have absolutely NO sense of direction and actually carry compass in my purse at all times. Seriously!
The GPS does help. But since I navigate by landmarks, the GPS lulls me into ignoring the landmarks, which isn't so good.
I do ok with faces, except when they are OUT of uniform, and not in their usual setting. So a clerk at the store, or my doctor, are like a shock to me if I see them somewhere else.
Names, however, are a misery for me to learn. I don't even listen when I'm being introduced, I realize. I'm too busy just absorbing another person, and frankly, you don't 'expect' a name, like you do the next word in a regular sentence.
A name could be anything at all.
Even when I ask TWICE, I don't remember. I'm in a book club, and have been for a year, and still don't associate names with most of the faces.
Sigh.
And I'm very good with words usually.
You should read some Oliver Sacks if you have a chance. He wrote the book that the movie Awakenings was based on, and he wrote a collection of stories about people with different neurologically based perception problems.
I love your attitude about your lack of ability to recognize faces. Hey, you're doing your best! Just say, "listen I won't remember you next time I see you. That has nothing to do with YOU, you're fascinating! I just don't see faces in a way that causes me to remember them. Sometimes the plumber gets a big surprise when he comes to the door when I'm expecting my husband! " (well, maybe not the last one.)
Keep us posted on other facets of your life!
Hugs
Elaine
I have mild face-blindness as well. I realize that I remember faces by algorithm (long straight dark hair, round face, etc.). So I sometimes get people mixed up because they fit the same algorithm. I have to add more criteria to remembering them (one is taller, etc.) This is all done unconsciously. Names are hard too, as Elaine wrote, as Im distracted during introductions.
I also have trouble navigating. This is especially hard indoors (like at doctors offices!). I have to consciously leave a mental trail of crumbs when I go in.
I think in me it has to do with not being able to use the functions of my "right" brain. My left brain takes up the slack by learning these things the hard way. Like playing text-based games vs. graphic-based games.
I'm wondering if others have a right-brain problem. Once in awhile I read about methods - either exercises or electrodes- to retrain the brain.
I find it highly embarrassing when I forget faces. Especially when I mix up medium-level acquaintances.