how much do you remember?

[keryx]

I was very pleased with myself for recognizing my new aikido instructor as someone I vaguely knew in 1988. Until I realized I'd mistaken him for his brother. And then forgot the names of half the people I hung out with in 1988.

It made me wonder how far back others' memories and friendships reach. So. How far back do yours go?
[Poll #1370585]
If you're reading this on Facebook, you won't see the poll. Go back to the original post for that.

Comments

[peregrin8.livejournal.com]

One best friend from college, one best friend from high school (age 13). That's all; not even a tiny bit in touch with anyone else from that long ago. (But i am 40; that was a long time ago!)

[keryx.livejournal.com]

I have one friend (snidegrrl) who's been around since 6th grade, and a small group of college peeps. Everyone else is a newer acquisition. And I'm 33.

[steamedwords.livejournal.com]

it depends on what you mean by 'forget' ...i mix up people's names, birthdays, hair color etc QUICKLY, but I keep an impression of someone's personality for a long time, even if I didn't know them that well.

[queerbychoice.livejournal.com]

I'm not really in touch with anyone I knew more than 10 years ago. However, I remember the first, last, and middle names, birthdays and other obscure details of many people I went to middle school with, even some who weren't friends of mine, if they're people I had a lot of classes with.

[keryx.livejournal.com]

I remember some people's phone numbers, but not their last names.

[bookgrrrl.livejournal.com]

I have occasional bouts of email with friends and lovers from age 16-21. None of those relationships are close any longer. I have close relationships with people I've known for 10ish years.

There are some people I haven't seen since I last saw them in childhood, but I am sure I would remember them if I saw them. These include waitresses at my small town's family restaurant, teachers, and classmates. (when your class size is 30, it's hard to forget people)

[thebostonreader.livejournal.com]

I think I counted the same person for high school, middle school, and elementary school. I have one friend who I've known since middle and elementary school. I have another friend who remembers me from middle school but I only remember her from high school. I usually say I have two friends from high school, in which I include both those people. Even though the second one, I only really became close to in college, since we went to the same college.

Is that confusing enough?