awkward but admirable
By hereandthere
@hereandthere (45628)
Philippines
October 23, 2019 4:47am CST
it's so awkward when someone remembers you, but you cannot remember them.
once in a while, we would have visitors who remember me and my siblings, but i have no memories of them at all - specifically, aunts, uncles and cousins.
it's awkward because in our parent's hometown, everyone knows almost everyone and how they're "related" to them - directly or indirectly.
as in, even if he or she is just a godfather/godmother at a wedding or baptism, you're expected to treat them and their children as your relative/extended family.
we see them at significant events like 50th wedding anniversaries, 80th birthdays and wakes at funeral parlors when someone dies.
or they would suddenly drop by because they're here on vacation because they now work or live overseas.
they're so excited to chat with you, say they miss you, bring food or treat you out to lunch, but you don't remember anything about them at all.
although it's awkward, it's also admirable when people have good memories of your family and are eager to renew ties and share their blessings.
have you ever had surprise visitors like these, including old neighbors, schoolmates or former co-workers?
21 people like this
20 responses
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
23 Oct 19
I have never had that happen because I remember most people I have met through my life. It is usually the other way around. I will recognize somebody and they will have no idea who I am. It is very awkward when that happens.
3 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
23 Oct 19
wow, you have a great memory. it happened to me once, i'm sure i used to work with her, but she was firm that she doesn't know or remember me.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
23 Oct 19
@hereandthere oh really...I hate when people do that because of that now I barely talk to people when I see them after a long time. I let them be the one to talk first.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
23 Oct 19
Every now and then, yes. I really hate it when I can't recall people's names though. 
I'm good at remembering faces and remembering where I met them but not good at recalling their names.
I'm good at remembering faces and remembering where I met them but not good at recalling their names.3 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
23 Oct 19
sometimes i do remember the face, sometimes not at all. i get embarrassed when they remember nice things.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (52905)
• Mojave, California
23 Oct 19
My one friends house he always has they guests I remember you. I am like huh. Then he took me to one of friends house I did not know and people were going I know you. I am like how is this even possible. I actually have a great memory. Maybe in my older age I just see nonsense now and want no part of people. I did not know, but is indeed awkward when that happens. 
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
23 Oct 19
when they say they know you, do they say when and where they met you?
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (52905)
• Mojave, California
23 Oct 19
@hereandthere Indeed, I do not know makes me uncomfortable. Like I am being a jerk or something for not knowing who they are.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
23 Oct 19
@crossbones27 so it's more like they know you by face, they see you around, you're a familiar figure, but not really friends. not even acquaintances.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
23 Oct 19
large families were common when we were growing up, yet they can remember everyone that directly or indirectly related to them.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502251)
• Italy
24 Oct 19
@hereandthere My maternal grandmother had many siblings, but I never knew most of them, they lived in another city, we never met. All my other grandparents only had 2 to 4 siblings and I knew all of them.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
24 Oct 19
It makes us happy when people who are not even close relatives are so eager to see and talk with us.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
25 Oct 19
they are close to our mother. they treated her to lunch and bought her 2 blouses.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
23 Oct 19
@Janet357 do they come from the same place? my parents came from the same province, so it's kinda boring sometimes.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
23 Oct 19
yes, you understand what i'm talking about. how about you, do you remember everyone in your province?
2 people like this
@Janet357 (75638)
•
23 Oct 19
@hereandthere maybe on my stepdad's side and biological dad's.
but my mom's side, no.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
23 Oct 19
sometimes, i remember their names afterwards. but sometimes, not at all.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
25 Oct 19
no ma'am, such's ne'er happened.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91044)
• United States
23 Oct 19
I have some cousins that I haven't seen in ages so I probably wouldn't recognize them if I saw them.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
23 Oct 19
i honestly don't remember some of them when they approach me so happy and eager to catch up.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
6 Nov 19
@hereandthere
I have that happen and for the life of me I cannot remember their name or names. I feel embarrassed and it stays with me all day and then after I leave them I may remember who they are. I was somewhere and saw somebody I knew at a distance and forgot her name so did not call her.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
7 Nov 19
yes, i've experienced both situations - remembering the name much later and holding back because i can't recall their name and they might not remember me either.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
7 Nov 19
@hereandthere
This person knew me but I was not sure I remembered her name so did not call to her.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
23 Oct 19
when we we young, we were sent to the province every summer. my 3 older siblings have more memories about it then me.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
23 Oct 19
I remember most of my family members, but there are people from my grandfather's family that I haven't seen for years. I am not sure I would recognize all of them if they came to visit me. The last time I saw them was about 20 years ago (a birthday party) and they live in the other end of the country.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
4 Nov 19
People can be so loving. I do not see anyone anymore sadly.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
10 Nov 19
they took her out with my aunt, went swimming then ate at the mall and bought my mother 2 new blouses
1 person likes this
