Why would a guy pretend he doesn’t know things about me or remember details related to me?

[Anonymous]

This guy will “play dumb” about things I KNOW That he knows about me. An example is my birthday. He knows it’s in July but he’s like “oh yeah, you said your birthday is July isn’t it?” Another example is I made him artwork based on his favorite movie as a gift once, and he has mentioned it a good number of times since then... but each time he acts like he is JUST remembered it even exists. He even one time acted like he didn’t remember my last name when he has previously proven he knows it. And no— he doesn’t normally have a bad memory and doesn’t seem to do this to other people (at least when I’m there). Why would he do this?

[spartan55]

Again with "a guy"... smh. What guy? This makes a difference if you want a good opinion.
You are out of your mind if you think any guy (who isn't your boyfriend) will remember your birthday. Same with instant recall on who gave him what gift for the last five years. We just aren't wired to care about little details like that. If you jog our memories we will usually get it. That's why you think he is acting like he didn't know... it's because he had to refresh that memory. Don't take it personal.
Now the last name thing I can't explain, except maybe he was fucking with you.

[Asker]

In those instances I didn’t do anything to refresh his memory. I never even bring up the gift. He just brings it up himself but says it as if he just remembered out of nowhere. It just seems like he’s messing with me because he will remember other unimportant things like what band shirt I wore the last time I saw him

[spartan55]

Okay, this is all speculation and bias you are creating in your mind. "Him acting like he remembers it out of nowhere" is a very subjective phrase. I don't think there is anything here tbh.
He isn't 'pretending' he doesn't know all these things. Why would he do that anyway?

[Asker]

That’s what I was wondering. Anyway, thank you for your help. It seems unusual but I won’t put any more thought into it

[Anonymous]

I don't know... seems like flirting to me. A weird way of flirting but it seems like he is playing dumb to get your attention.