For those of you who have read some of the past articles I have written, think back to the article that talked about naming things. This piece will be an offshoot from that. Rather than talking about naming things, this time we will talk about the using of names. Probably not nearly as entertaining of a topic, but one that I have found makes a big difference.

One time my mother told me that one of the most impressive things about my father in high school was how he talked to people from all the different social groups there were. He knew the farm kids because he was a farm kid. He knew the athletes because he was an athlete. He knew these other people because he had a few classes with them. And it goes so on.

Another thing that my dad once said to me was to try to use people’s names when you say hi to them, especially people that you don’t see every day.

So, I’ll ask you. What is the difference between saying “Hi” or saying “Hi, Brady?” Maybe Brady is one of your roommate’s cousins who you met once and is now at the football game and you see him in the crowd. Maybe Brady is some guy you had in a class once freshman year and you ended up in the same discussion group and you see him in the hallway. Or maybe he’s a salesman you bought some parts from to fix your chisel plow a few years ago and you run into him at the McLean County Ag Show. No matter who Brady is, what is the difference between simply saying “Hi” or using his name along with it?

I’ll tell you what I think the difference is. I am not exactly the most social person in the world. In fact, I’m more towards the other end of that spectrum. I like my friends, and when I see them I talk to them, but I’m pretty okay with spending most of my evenings in the room watching Gold Rush or whatever game is on television.

In all honesty, I do most of my socializing and meeting new people on the weekends. But yes, I do remember most of the people I meet, and I do my best to say hi to many of them when I see them at other times.

Like I said, I’m not a big-time friendly, social guy. Besides the long (and probably extremely pointless) conversations I have with people on the weekends, I don’t talk to many people besides my really good friends, with the exception of saying “Hi Brady” (unless their name is not Brady).

Besides these factors making me not very well known and, on a side point I’m not too involved in many campus activities or any sports, I still managed to make Homecoming Court at my college. For a guy like me, knowing that I was well liked and respected enough by my peers to be chosen for that is a pretty dang cool thing. Though I can’t say for sure why, I think a big part of how I ended up in that group is because I took my dad’s advice and said “Hi Brady” instead of just “Hi.”

Just by using somebody’s name when greeting them, it reminds them that you remember them. It lets people know that your meeting or meetings were important. It shows that you had a connection, and for a lot of people, that’s meaningful and leaves a good impression, and I think that’s important.

Some little things go a long way.