 |  | ||
| < back to boston.com | Welcome | ||
| Home | Search | | Mailbox | Who’s Saved Me | Who’s Viewed Me | Create a FREE Profile | Subscribe |
Our indefatigable dating reporter asks…
Did you ever slip up and call your date by a former date's name? How did you recover?
 |
Gloria, 50, Rochester, N.Y. One time, I was meeting several people from online at the same time, which isn't a bad thing. But, one of them was named Harvey and the other was Harper. I had to keep catching myself on the phone. I wanted to say, "Hi Harpey. How are you?" And when I was out with Harvey, all I could think about was, "Oh no. What if I call him Harper?" I actually did call him Harver once, but he never heard me. (I was "saved" by a date with a bad cold and plugged ears. Whew!) |
|
 |
Raymond, 44, Louisville, Ky. Yes this happen to me twice in my younger days. Each time I stuck to my guns and said I did not say the other person's name and gave her a hug and kiss to blow things over. It wasn't me! |
|
 |
Christina,33,
Albany, NY Yes and there was no way to recover. I simply apologized and changed the subject as quickly as I could! |
|
 |
Frank, 25, Brandon, Fla. Only once. Be careful when dating girls with similar names. I just ignored it. Fortunately, I am not sure she heard me anyway. |
|
 |
Dena, 50, Jonesboro, Ga. I am generally well aware, but on occasion a wrong name slipped out. Actually, just a portion of the name and I was able to mask it in a way that was not altogether noticeable. Then I change the subject quickly to detract from the goof. |
|
 |
Trevor, 30, Boise, Idaho I've never slipped up and called my date by a former date's name. I always try to do a quick refresher course on what I know about my date before meeting up with them. The things I can't remember or don't already know about them are good conversation starters. |
|
 |
Beth, 30, San Antonio, Texas Oh yes! I was married for seven years and when I first started dating I accidentally called several people my ex-husband's name. I usually just pulled the blonde reaction "Noooo, I didn't say the wrong name, you must be hearing things" or just said "huh?" and changed the subject. |
|
 |
Alan, 29, Long Beach, Calif. Yes, but it was unintentional, I was asleep and I called my ex's name in my sleep while hugging my "current one." Needless to say I recovered with ice packs and tons of "I'm sorry!" |
|
 |
Cindy, 49, Juno Beach, Fla. Yes, more than once. So embarrassing. I just ignored it and continue to focus on conversation or activity, trying not to give the other person time to think. Everybody makes mistakes, right? |
|
 |
Kerry,
32, New York, NY No, but I once completely forgot her name on my way to the date. It reminded me of that Seinfeld episode where he forgets the girl's name and she tells him it "rhymes with a part of the female anatomy." Luckily, I was able to avoid it for the entire date. And, no, her name wasn't Deloris. |
|
 |
Lee, 56, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Oh, sure. I think everyone has done that. For me, the date's reaction speaks volumes. Do they laugh it off or retreat into a snit? I don't play well with insecure people and anyone who would be bothered by such an innocent slip up needs to realize that I'm here with them because I want to be, and that a name slip up is not a relationship-altering event. |
|
 |
David, 29, Hampton, Va. I have never called a date by a former date's name. To much game = shame. I like to take my time to learn who she is. That should take some time if you are really in search of the "One." |
|
 |
Nikki, 30, San Diego, Calif. No, but I did leave a message once on a former date's voice mail by mistake. A sexy message at that! |
|
 |
Matilda, 41, Jonesboro, Ga. No. They are all "Honey," "Sweetie" or "Sugah" until I find Mr. Right. |
|
 |
Michelle, 34, Manteca, Calif. Are you kidding? When I'm on a date with someone and that person is special to me, how could I think of any other person? |
|
 |
Cindy, 30, Miami, Fla. I am extremely cautious with names. I usually call my dates "sweetie" or "honey." These are equally safe nouns. |
|
 |
Mike, 42, Virginia Beach, Va. I'm pretty sure I haven't, but if I have, I've done an impressive job of erasing it from my memory. Assuming I'd goofed like this, the only way to recover would be to honest and admit the mistake (grave error?) and hope we could move on -- either that or run for my life! |
|
 |
Nancy, 49, Scottsdale, Ariz. I call everybody "Honey" so that eliminates the problem. Guys like it because everyone addresses them by name but few people call them "Honey, Sweetie, or Sugar Buns." |
|
 |
Ed, 40, Yarmouth, Iowa Oh heaven's no, but its probably because I haven't dated enough to fill my little mind with too many names! |
|
 |
Cathy, 46, Moorpark, Calif. No, I have not, but I have talked about a movie "we" saw or referred to a conversation "we" had when it was a movie or conversation that I had with another date. I recovered by being truthful. It's also an example of why I don't like multiple dating -- it's way too confusing. |
|
 |
Rick,
50, Parker, Colo. Yes, my date's name was Karen and we were talking about going somewhere and she was hesitant about coming along. I said, "Oh, come on Sue." And when she turned and looked at me, I realized what I said at that instant and said again, "Oh, come on soon, OK?" All was OK after that! |
|
 |
Ann, 24, Pelham, Ala. I can honestly say that I've never made the mistake of calling a date by the wrong name! Thank goodness for that, too. I would have no idea about how to recover from that! |
|
 |
Arnold, 57, Fair Oaks, Calif. I almost did this once but caught myself in time. Then I panicked and could not remember my current date's name. She helped me as I stammered. I have attributed background information from one date to another but she responded that this happens when you meet so many people so rapidly through Yahoo! Personals. She even went out two more times before giving up on me. |
|
 |
Missy,
24, Watertown, NY Yes. I accidentally called my boyfriend (at the time) by an ex's name. I told him that his name just popped out because I had just spoken to the guy and that he was just a friend. |
|
 |
Mary, 51, Seattle, Wash. With a simple apology. I've done it and it has happened to me too. This happens. Not a big thing. |
|
 |
Robert, 52, Mill Valley, Calif. Yes, I was at the Playboy Mansion in the midst of a passionate...er, ah...conversation with Miss December. During the heat of the moment I shouted out "Oh God, Miss November, turn me on -- keep undressing!" Momentarily at a loss, I recovered saying she must have misunderstood me in that I had said "I miss November and that turkey dressing." She didn't buy it as my monthly Playboy magazine stopped arriving shortly thereafter. |
|
 |
Mike, 29, Sea Bright, N.J. Yes, once. A former girlfriend at the time had a great sense of humor and we laughed it off. I think my reaction made her laugh. She stole me away from a girl, so she wasn't insecure about our relationship. |
|
 |
Steven,
35, Franklin Square, NY I never slipped up on calling someone by another name. But, I did ask a girl about her recent birthday celebration and it was referring to another girl who I had been speaking with on Yahoo! Personals. |
|
 |
Marilyn, 54, Palm Desert, Calif. Well since I only date, John, Paul, George or Ringos, I figure I'm safe. |
|
 |
Sharena, 34, Placentia, Calif. Yes. It was on a first date. I thought we were going out, but he did not want to leave the house if you know what I mean. So, when he started getting a little too chummy and uncomfortably aggressive, I said, "Knock it off Steven!" Well, his name wasn't Steven. I recovered just by being honest and found out, ironically, that he knew the Steven I was talking about. It was a first date so he understood. And he knocked it off. |
|
Got dating questions?
We know people who have answers. Submit your dating questions here.
