Running into an old friend

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I ran into an old friend, whom I haven't seen for many many years. At the time I was in such a big hurry as it was nearly sunset time. From a distance I saw a man smiling at me. When we got closer, he held out his right hand for a handshake still smiling at me. I didn't know who the man was. After we had shaken hands, he asked me if I still lived in my hometown. I said yes. We had a short conversation about the school he went to. When he had said the name of an elementary school, I was sure that he was one of my classmates but still didn't recognize him. The question is how he can still recognize me while I can't recognize him at all.