Haveo · What to say at a networking event when you don't know anyone
When you forget someone's name
Ask. "I'm so sorry — your name has gone completely." It costs two seconds and everyone has been on both sides of it. The version that actually goes wrong is a whole conversation spent avoiding their name while they notice.
Just ask
Say it early rather than late. Asking in the first minute is nothing; asking after twenty is a small event.
"Remind me of your name?" and "I've completely lost your name, sorry" both work and neither needs a reason attached.
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When you cannot ask
Introduce someone else to them. "Have you met Dana?" usually makes them say their own name without prompting.
Or ask how they spell it — this only works for names that plausibly have two spellings, and it fails loudly on a Tom.
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Stop losing them in the first place
Use it once, immediately: "good to meet you, Priya." Saying it aloud is far stronger than hearing it.
Then type it into your phone within the minute, with one detail. Repeating it silently in your head does not survive the next introduction.
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Why it is not a character flaw
A name is arbitrary information attached to a face under stress, in noise, with no context. It is the single hardest thing the room asks you to do.
People who appear to be good at it are almost always people with a system, not people with a better memory.
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Rehearse it before you walk in.
Haveo builds your intro, lets you practice out loud with an AI coach, and keeps your notes one tap away in the room. Free on iPhone and iPad.
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