Part 6
Use the picture here as Mr. Perrett. The name as it sounds calls to your mind a bird. See the bright green parrot flying around his head and perching on his shoulder; see the vivid color of the bird. Close your eyes and review this picture association of the face and the name. Do this until you can see it with your eyes open.
Meaning in First Syllable
Many names which seem to present difficulties upon first hearing them simply need a little attention and analysis. At times when names have escaped you, you have gone back to the alphabet and by running over the letters have found that the first letter suggested the name wanted. Some names which are apparently difficult will be easily remembered if you will notice that the first syllable of the name is a noun and has a definite meaning.
You meet Mr. Carruthers. This name presents considerable difficulty until you notice that the first three letters spell the simple word "car." By visually associating the object "car" with his face and repeating the name Carruthers a couple of times, you will find no difficulty in recalling the name.
Note these examples of this method of using the first syllable for the Name Picture:
Mr. Bellamy--bell Mr. Reardon--rear Mr. Raymond--ray Mr. Seagraves--sea Mr. Ringling--ring Mr. Burroughs--burr Mr. Dennison--den Mr. Bushnell--bush Mr. Boardman--board Mr. Pierson--pier
Practice with this idea by using the face here as Mr. Woodhead. See a stick of wood on his head, pile it there and see it roll off, don't be afraid to make strong, unusual Name Pictures. You will not have to tell the man how you remembered his name, but to do it will be one of your greatest business assets.
Meaning of Vocations
Almost every vocation has been used as a proper name. Undoubtedly the name comes from the fact that the forefathers followed that vocation. In every such case see the person working at the trade. For practice use this man as Mr. Smith, suggesting a blacksmith; see him working at his forge, see the anvil, the sparks, the hammer, see him strike. Make a strong, vivid picture. (Smith comes from the word Smythe--meaning hitter.)
Other examples:
Mr. Miller Mr. Fisher Mr. Shoemaker Mr. Carpenter Mr. Plumber Mr. Butcher Mr. Gardner Mr. Painter Mr. Walker
Each name picture of a vocation should contain the scenes which are familiar to you. Mr. Carpenter has a hammer and nails, working at the carpenter trade; Mr. Gardner, with hoe and spade, is caring for his garden.
Familiar Name Pictures
There are many names which do not have a meaning and are not readily changed to suggest a picture to be associated with the Face Picture. On the other hand, these names will suggest Name Pictures with which you are thoroughly familiar. They will suggest a location, article, place, or some familiar fact that can be used for the Name Picture and which will recall the name to your mind when you see the face.
=Make it a rule to associate the unknown with the known.=
Geographical Name Pictures
The first one of five groups of familiar pictures of proper names is the Geographical group. You meet a stranger by the name of Mr. Lansing, and the name immediately suggests the city of Lansing, Mich. If you are familiar with the city of Lansing you can very easily make a visual picture of this person standing in some particular street or familiar corner of the city.
It is not necessary, however, to have a personal knowledge of the geographical location. The picture association of a stranger's face with the geographical location will be sufficiently strong if you see him holding the map of Michigan and pointing out the spot where Lansing is, or any other similar picture which may suggest itself to you.
Use this picture for Mr. Holland. This name immediately suggests a picturesque country of Europe. See this strange face by a Dutch windmill and the people in their distinctive costumes grouped around, see motion in your picture, the windmill turning and the people passing by.
A few common geographical names follow:
Mr. Birmingham (Ala.) Mr. Ogden (Utah) Mr. Billings (Mont.) Mr. Platte (River) Mr. Davenport (Ia.) Mr. Cleveland (Ohio) Mr. Lyons (France) Mr. Patterson (N. J.) Mr. Hudson (River)
In some cases you can make a change in the spelling of the name and in this way associate it easily with a geographical picture. As:
Mr. Bostrom (Boston, Mass.) Mr. Knoble (Knoblesville, Ind.) Mr. Molan (Moline, Ill.) Mr. Haig (Hague, Holland) Mr. Jameson (James River) Mr. Bixby (Bisbee, Ariz.)
Advertised Name Pictures
There are scores of proper names which, as soon as mentioned, will bring to your mind the picture of an object which has been constantly advertised. Having seen this article so often has fixed its picture and name indelibly in your mind. As soon as you see the article you can without hesitation speak the name. When you meet a stranger by the same name, as you often will, associate the Face Picture of the stranger with the familiar object for your Name Picture. When you see this face again you will recall the object which you can name without difficulty. For example, the face here may be of a Mr. Gillette, who may not be familiar to you, but if you hear the name Gillette it suggests the picture of a Safety Razor. When you meet a stranger by this name, see him shaving himself with a Gillette Razor. Review your picture a few times and when you meet the man again his face will suggest your Name Picture and you can call his name from the object in the picture. There are many opportunities to use this method, your own city will have many familiar trade marks and signs which you can use, as well as those nationally advertised.
A few examples:
Mr. Hudson (auto) Mr. Sanford (ink) Mr. Campbell (soups) Mr. Douglas (shoes) Mr. Armour (meats) Mr. Cluett (shirts) Mr. Knox (hat) Mr. Parker (pens)
Names Suggest Familiar Faces
Many names immediately suggest familiar faces, which you can name any time, anywhere. You often compare the strangers you meet with them and note the similarities. Constant repetition has fixed these faces so thoroughly in mind that there will be no confusion in naming them. You pass a stranger on the street and some one says: "How much that man looks like Lincoln," and you reply, "Yes, but Lincoln was taller and did not have such large eyes, and his nose was entirely different in shape. And Lincoln's mouth was fuller, too, not so thin and straight." This comparison is possible, because of the clear, definite picture which has been formed in your mind of President Lincoln.
These familiar faces which you can recall so definitely in your mind's eye will be of wonderful assistance in remembering strangers by the same name. Practice with this picture as Mr. Grant. His face may be strange to you, but the name immediately suggests a familiar face. Now see these two faces in the same picture, see the familiar face looking over the face of the stranger, see them meeting, shaking hands, talking, laughing. Exaggerated, moving, unusual pictures are best. See the familiar faces clearly as possible, and compare the two; one is tall and the other short, one dark the other light, one has a beard and the other has not, etc. All comparison helps to make the mind's eye picture more definite and to strengthen the associated picture through prolonged attention.
Historically Known Faces
The faces of these familiar names are fixed in your mind by reading history, as--
Gen. Sherman Thos. Jefferson Gen. Kitchener Gen. Lee Geo. Washington Benj. Franklin Gen. Sheridan Wm. McKinley Admiral Dewey
Some names suggest both geographical and historical reminders. For example:
Livingston Raleigh Chester Columbus Decatur Hannibal
Other Well-Known Faces
A much larger number of names will suggest faces which have become fixed in your mind by your having seen their pictures in magazines, papers, cartoons, etc.; men who are active in politics and the accomplishments of the present day. These you can connect in the same way; use the known face as the name picture; see the two faces together; put your mind to the comparison, make it active, feel interested. When meeting strangers do not allow your mind to be dormant, make it work, this is imperative.
=A dormant mind is impregnable; an active mind is absorbent.=
Notice how the cartoonist observes the peculiarities of appearance and exaggerates them in his pictures; don't be afraid to use your imagination in your mind's eye pictures for remembering men's names.
Examples of well-known faces:
Mr. Bryan Mr. Balfour Mr. Ford Sen. Kitchen Gen. Pershing Mr. Edison Mr. Hoover Mr. Baker Mr. Wright "Joe" Cannon Mr. Daniels Mr. Schwab
How many of these faces can you see clearly in your mind's eye? How definite are they?
Make Use of Your Friends' Names
The names of your friends with which you are thoroughly familiar will bring to your mind a clear visual impression. You can see the face as soon as the name is mentioned, not of the few but literally of hundreds of people. Learn to take advantage of this great series of Name Pictures, which you can indelibly hitch to the Face Picture of the stranger who chances to bear the same name. Use the same method as before, see the two faces clearly, compare them to make the mind's eye picture of the friend's face definite. Use motion, think, become interested, and every other means to make a strong, lasting impression.
Observe the Facial Appearance
The peculiarities of appearance which are easily detected by the physical eye constitute one of the most helpful methods of associating the face and the name together. You will find as you practice that this means is very often available. It is not possible to take advantage of this opportunity, however, unless you are observing. In fact, to the unobserving person there is no peculiarity about the appearance and therefore no aid.
For this purpose it will pay to give considerable attention to the development of the observation. You will find the stranger's appearance more and more helpful to you as you develop your ability to observe keenly the faces of the persons whom you meet. Many people have some distinctive or prominent characteristic which will directly suggest the name, or with which the name may be associated.
Note this peculiarity of the stranger's face, and quickly associate it with the name as you hear it. Use your imagination and strengthen the association as much as possible, enlarge and make more prominent the peculiarity which you have noticed. If you meet a Mr. Cole and his hair is dark, note the fact. See his hair as black as coal, in your picture. Imagine taking a big piece of soft coal and rubbing it over his hair to blacken it. The picture here is for Mr. White; note his snow-white hair and mustache; note these facts carefully, they will suggest the name immediately upon your seeing the face again.
Sometimes you can use the whole face, sometimes only certain peculiarities, a deep wrinkle, a scar, a blemish, etc. Sometimes it will be the general build of the body or the expression of character. Sometimes the similarity will be very noticeable. Other times the decided contrast will be as useful in fixing them in mind.
Color of hair or complexion is often helpful and may be more apparent if you use the idea of changed spelling, or taking the name as it sounds rather than as it is spelled. A few examples follow:
Mr. Short is a small man--short.
Mr. Biggar is short and slender, suggesting that he could be bigger.
Mr. Stout--is very slender.
Mr. Smiley--is stern and cross looking.
Mr. Gray--has gray hair.
Mr. Redman--has rosy, pink cheeks.
Mr. Molar--has a large mole(r).
Mr. Fisher--has deep wrinkles, fissures.
Mr. Baldy--is very bald.
Mr. Reddish--has sandy hair, reddish.
Mr. Remlinger--is bald with a rim of hair lingering.
Mr. Eyer--has bright, keen eyes.
Mr. Cloes--looks close and stingy.
Other Helpful Associations
The circumstances under which you meet a stranger may easily lead you to a strong association which will impress the face and name strongly upon your mind.
To meet--
Mr. Dombville (dumbbell) in a gymnasium suggests a good picture.
Mr. Long--keeps you a long time talking, and you easily remember the name when you meet him again.
Mr. Pugh (pew) you may meet at church.
Vocational Hints
Something about a man's business or the things he sells may help you. When you meet a man and find difficulty in picturing his name ask him what business he is in; this is well to know and may be helpful in remembering the name. All the examples given in this lesson are actual circumstances, not flights of imagination. This vocational idea is helpful because it starts you thinking about the name. Thought is the important factor. If you will learn to think intently you will remember.
Mr. McCash--is employed in a bank.
Messrs. Puls & Puls--are dentists.
Mr. Caution--is a banker.
Mr. Kamerer--sells Kodaks (cameras).
The Thought Channels
The law of association is wonderful in its operations, and the principles upon which it operates can be relied upon to help in cases where it seems almost impossible to make a picture impression. The thoughts you think when you see the face will return when you see it again, just as the conversation and other circumstances do. In trying to remember names that are difficult to picture, think intently about them, silently ask and answer questions about the person or his name, think of the peculiarity and just how it is spelled. See the name spelled in large letters, clear and definite. The Law of Association will tend to recall these impressions when you see the face, and by their aid you will in most cases be able to recall the peculiar and difficult name.
Because a name is difficult few remember it, and its possessor is "bored to death" by continually repeating and spelling it. Here is your greatest opportunity; to remember this name will make a greater impression than if it were an easy one. When you feel that you cannot do anything else with a name think intently about it, make your mind active, become interested, stimulate some strong feeling of pleasure at meeting him, give the impression a strong stimulus.
Review Is Essential
In an earlier chapter we found that a mind's eye picture would last for hours, but if discarded, or not reviewed, it would gradually fade away, time will inevitably erase it.
We also learn that to retain an impression permanently it must be reviewed several times and preferably at frequent intervals. Names of the people you meet, whom you wish to remember, must become permanent knowledge and must be reviewed or you cannot expect to accomplish the result. While the visual picture can make the strongest possible impression it will not become permanently available unless reviewed.
This review and practice in the use of the visual faculty will gradually improve the strength of the mind's eye picture and develop the habit of attention and concentration. The first review should be made shortly after the first impression, to insure its being distinct and vivid. Even while talking with the party see again your name picture associated with the face. Most names get away from you during the first thirty seconds after hearing them. Quickly make your Name Picture, associate it with the face and then review it. After a short interval do it again; when the party leaves call him by name and as soon as he is gone review the mind's eye picture of his Face and Name.
It is helpful to call a stranger by name during the conversation, speaking it clearly and distinctly. This will be of special value to those who have found that they are ear minded.
When being introduced to a group of people whose names you wish to remember, do not go rapidly, take a reasonable time to each name. After you have met four or five find some opportunity to glance back and review the faces of their associated Name Pictures, then meet a few more. As soon as possible review all the names in your mind. In no other way can you expect to remember a number of them. At least not until you have gotten considerable practice, and this is the way to practice.
Methodical Review Best
This review of the names of the strangers you have met is one of the very necessary links in your success. You should do so each evening, or at some other convenient time of the day. Quietly go over the day's experiences and recall the faces and names of all the people whom you have met. Each name should be reviewed several times, by means of this review you can meet and name the stranger often enough to make his name as familiar as you wish. When he meets you the second time, you will surprise him by readily calling him by name. He may say, "Why, how do you remember my name; you only met me once?" The fact is you have met him as many times as you have visually reviewed his name and face together.
The most accurate method of review is to write the name of each stranger into a small note book, or on a pad on your desk. Each time you review the name check it off; after you have checked it five or six times you will be familiar with it and can dispense with further review.
Merely to go over the list and check the names is of very little value, the review that will get results is the visual review of your associated picture. See both the name and face pictures again, review names and faces just as you would House and Clock by seeing the picture.
A Review Test
Use the pictures of men given in this chapter, and review; as you read each name stop a moment and see the face as clearly as possible in your mind's eye.
Mr. King Mr. Smith Mr. Grant Mr. Perrett Mr. Holland Mr. White Mr. Woodhead Mr. Gillette
Good Observation Necessary
While it seems easy to retain a picture of the face, yet the value of the impression for quick and accurate recognition will depend upon the observation of it. The games and exercises given in the first book will have developed this faculty in the child, but you should call his attention to the value of it here and urge the importance of making a special effort with the faces of the people whom he meets.
After the person, to whom the child has been introduced, has gone, see how much of a description he can give you of him. Help him to be systematic in his observation. First, estimate his height, weight, and general build. Second, tell the color of his hair, eyes and complexion; size and shape of his nose, chin, etc. Third, how did the child like him? Encourage him to form a definite conclusion as to just what kind of a person the visitor is. This is important and will be helpful later, but will need careful guidance in the formative years. Helps which you can give in reading character should be imparted to the child. Tell him all that you can of how you judge and estimate people, encourage him to study this important subject as he grows older. There are very helpful and scientific books available on this subject.
The ability to recognize and remember people, without regard to their name, is based upon just this kind of an observation and study of them. Observation is the resulting mental image after the removal of the object from view. Your ability to observe people is measured by what you can definitely recall about them when they are gone. Recognition of them will be based upon the memory of just these points mentioned and in turn the memory, of course, can be no more distinct than the impressions made upon the brain while the person was before you. Observation then is the basis for the recognition of people, and to improve it is of utmost importance.
Systematic Observation of Faces
There are three principal steps or points to be noticed. First, the size and general build. This can be done while the person is approaching as well as at the introduction. Because of the similarity of faces the size and build of a person will often be the point that will insure accuracy in recognition. You see a person at a meeting who looks very much like Mr. A whom you met yesterday, but Mr. A was a tall, slender man, this man is of medium build, and so the difference in size helps greatly in determining the identity. When meeting a stranger get a general outline picture of him. It will be helpful to make a mental comparison between the stranger and yourself, as to size, etc.
Second, the observation of the face should be especially keen and attentive, both for purposes of recognition, and because the face becomes the Hitching Post for the name. When being introduced, and during the conversation, study the face carefully. First as a whole for a general impression, and then in detail. Notice the hair first, determine its color, condition, heavy, sparse, bald or curly, and note any peculiarity. Then observe the eyes, nose, mouth, ears and complexion. Form the habit of starting at the top of the head; be systematic; and let the attention move from one feature to another.
What is the result, how much will you later recall? No more, and in fact no less than you can now see in your mind's eye picture when you look away or close your eyes for a moment. Apply this test and then look back again and improve the mind's eye picture. Add to it as much more detail as possible. Be especially careful about noticing the peculiarities of this face; any wrinkle, blemish or oddity of any kind will be helpful in later remembering it.
A natural memory for faces may be good, but it can be improved, this kind of definite effort will get results. Any uncertainty in recognizing people will be largely eliminated by improved observation. For practice in this observation of faces use pictures in magazines or papers as well as the faces of the people you meet.
Third, let the observation of the face be crystallized into a definite opinion regarding this person. Instead of considering him as an object of which you are trying to get an especially good mental picture, consider him now as an individual and decide how you like him. Help the child to form correct opinions. To know the business in which he is engaged, place where he lives, his avocation, and favorite form of recreation will all aid in forming a strong and definite impression of this person. It is not always possible to go to this extent, but get as far as you can with it, the more you succeed the more help you will have in remembering. Each effort will aid the memory in that particular case--and help to form the valuable habit of close observation.
The Game of Faces
Get a number of pictures of strange faces, such as you often see of a convention, or take them from magazines. Cut them apart and take five of these faces and observe them carefully. Make a deliberate effort to note any peculiarity of these faces or anything about them that will help you to identify them. Mix the five among the rest, now run through the entire group of pictures and see if you can, without hesitation, pick these five from the others. Practice until you can do this. Leave these five faces out of the group and select five more; observe these in the same manner. Now mix the last five with the large group and identify them as you did the first five. Now take the ten and shuffle them into the large group and identify them the second time. Divide the ten in the two original groups of five so that you have the first five and the second five separate. When several children are playing this game together a score may be kept.