So you are out and about at a number of events when someone you recognize approaches you. Unfortunately, you don't remember their name. What should you do?

Judith Bowman, author of "Don't Take the Last Donut: New Rules of Business Etiquette," recommends a few easy options:

  1. Confess. This is the most appropriate and honest approach. And it's a positive way to recover.
  2. Ask the person to say their name. If they only respond, "I'm Kathy," then ask for the last name.
  3. Ask how they prefer to be addressed.
  4. Ask a mutual friend or colleague if you spot the person but they haven't approached you yet.
  5. Ask for a person's business card.
  6. Ask for the spelling of their name.

And good luck. This happens to everyone at someone point.

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