It really depends on the context. A business associate or colleague, it’s a bad look, but a personal acquaintance is usually no big deal. I often reintroduce myself to people socially, and admit I’ve forgotten their names. Sometimes it’s more awkward if we’ve known each other a while, and maybe I covered forgetting too many times and it would be weird to admit it this far into our “friendship.”

In a professional setting, not only does it make people feel important, but it also makes you seem smarter. Remembering details, birthdays, family members, and other personal conversation topics is a sales technique taught in business school. Admitting you’ve forgotten someone’s name may even come off as a power move. Mind games like that wre disturbingly common.