What's in a Name (Except a Romantic Opportunity)?
Good manners fascinate me with their power to attract others. They're like a magic love spell, and they're as useful in a romatic relationship as they are in any other situation.
I had a call from a woman whose new boyfriend, during their moments together, always seemed to be observing her. He wasn't creepy, or abusive - just...watchful. My Tarot cards said that he was watching her interact with others, because he wanted to see how she would fit into his larger life. He wanted to know how she might act at an office party, for example, or how gracious she might be to his friends, or fit into his extended family.
(By the way, my caller's boyfriend was very pleased with what he was observing.)
The simplest actions tell us so much about a person - and sometimes they tell us wonderful things indeed!
I'll tell you, gang, in some romantic situations, the difference between being the alert, interested-in-others person who remembers a name, and being the self-centered lazybones who shrugs, "I'm not good with names," separates the girls from the women and the boys from the men!
I am good with names (she boasted). How many people have you heard say that? I once worked in a huge company. In my little corner of that world, I had to know the names of 160 people on sight. Yikes! What to do?
I used an old trick to memorize the names. I associated anything - anything - about a person's appearance or demeanor with his name, to remind me of his name.
Someone named "Bill" for example, might wear expensive shoes. How did he foot the Bill for those?
Believe me, every single time you see a person after playing this silly game, his name will automatically pop into your head. Bill won't have to wear those pricey shoes ever again to help you remember.
Let's try a harder one. Jerry.
Does he try to be funny all the time, like Jerry Lewis?
Is his complexion as red as a cherry?
If he has a beard, a mustache, or long hair, he is hairy!
In closing, let me tell you a little story about how sexy and attractive good manners can be.
I worked with an extremely attractive man whom all the ladies wanted. For years, he kept himself apart and aloof. One day, when a lot of us were crammed into an elevator, he jumped in last with a young woman we hadn't seen before.
He turned around and said, "Everyone, this is my fiancee. We became engaged last night. Sandra, I'd like you to meet Rose, Shauna, Franny, Carol, Sue, Kate and Laura."
We looked her up and down and mentally asked the age-old question, "What does she have that I don't have?"
Then the elevator stopped in the lobby and the lovebirds hopped out. She turned around, and, looking at each one of us she said, "Goodbye, Rose, Shauna, Franny, Carol, Sue, Kate and Laura."
We had our answer. Class. Class is what she had.