Comedy with names and faces

Last week as I was crossing a busy road, a lady on a scooter coming in the opposite direction bent double to wish me with a sweet smile. Must be some teacher, I thought though I simply couldn't place her.

In my personal list of  beatitudes,'Blessed are those who can remember names and faces,' comes at the top.
Before my marriage, while people were still at a safe distance away, my younger sister would whisper," Smile at the lady in the yellow sari."  With no time for further explanations, I'd do as told, with no idea at all of who I was smiling at and how I knew that person : whether she was just a  'hi and bye'  acquaintance or a closer friend. Based on the other person's response, I'd have to decide that. And then the doubt of whether I knew about her family and so must I enquire about them or did I just know her from a job point of view...

The more enthusiastic friends frighten me more because I'll be expected to show the same degree of enthusiasm. "How come you've  come this side ?" sometimes leads me into trouble. "Why, I always come here to see   my mom. Have you forgotten or did you mistake me for somebody else? Only last month I told you all about her stone in the bladder and you told me how your own mother recovered from it."
And then I'd thank God that at least I could remember dialogues.

After my marriage  came my husband's initial shock and the usual, 'how can anybody be like that?'
"I remember people better if I visit them at their houses,"I said meekly.
"How can I possibly take you to all the  people's houses just so you can learn their names?" he asked practically.Then onward he started introducing me to his friends and relatives anew every time we met. "My wife must have forgotten you by now." And so, amidst laughter we would enquire about each other. Sometimes I am even able to show off, "Of course, I remember Mr. Pillai. He is from Manakottai and has 3 children."

At school sometimes when Revathi becomes Radhika, the whole class bursts out laughing. Even when Chandra Mohan becomes Mohana Chandran, it's a joke. I tried doing some homework. I translated a quiet girl's name,Ponnmani into English and imagined a holy golden bell at a temple. Foolproof, indeed. But when I called out, 'Thangamani' another word for golden bell, how amused they were!

TV serials and sometimes even stage dramas go above my head when I can't differentiate between brother and brother-in- law or sister and sister-in-law.

Well, what can't be cured must be endured and so I thank whoever stated , "Ignorance is bliss". Maybe he or she went through my experiences.

Anyway even I can count my blessings-

1. My husband doesn't have a twin or even a same looking brother.So thankfully no fear of mistaken identity.
2. I never had to work as a bus conductor - specially crowded buses where I'd never find out who  bought tickets and who didn't. Or in the crime department either.
3. I can always encourage slow learners," See what mistakes I make with names. Yet I've been able to score  high marks in this and that competitive exams."

 I often wonder if  there are  others like me.  Perhaps we should join together and form a club and support one another. Shall we?