A Guy Asked Me What My Name Is?

[TheRealPepperPotts]

OK, I am not sure what is normal anymore, so here goes:

A total stranger (male) randomly asked me for my name point-blank. He was quite a bit younger (although he probably didn't know that). It wasn't online, it was in public. No mutual connections, no interaction, not a service person. It was literally the first thing he said to me. I have never seen him before. Is that weird or is it a standard thing to do these days? I just think it's strange to straight-up ask for a girl's name without any connection or lead up. I wasn't rude, but I didn't give him my name. I just laughed it off.

Dude: (Calls out to girl he's never met or seen or talked to before) What's your name?

My initial thought is that he was socially klutzy. Thoughts?

[HawkPerception]

LOL Ms. Potts you make me laugh.

Just speaking from a guy's perspective. It really depends on the scenario. In most scenarios, people have a little conversation first then share their name, and finally ask the other person's name.

Ex. *Waiting in line at a grocery store*

Person 1: "Have you tried that wine? I love it!"

Person 2: "Nope never tried it. How does it taste?"

Person 1: "It's a lambrusco, so it's like wine mixed with soda. I feel like the fizz changes the taste of the wine entirely. Kind of how tomato sauce tastes different from tomatoes, because the texture is different. I enjoy it more than regular red wine. And that particular brand is pretty pleasant tasting."

Person 2: "Oh that's great to hear. Well I'm about to purchase it, but it was great talking to you. My name's Josh. What's yours?"

Person 1: "Selena. Nice to meet you Josh."

Person 2: "Likewise. Hope to bump into you in the future. Take care!"

Person 1: "You too Josh. Take care!"

There are some scenarios where you can barely interact with the person like at a cafe when you make your order with the barista and say something along the lines of:

"You have gorgeous eyes. I was hoping I could get your name."

It's just the start of getting to know someone and if you become a regular at the cafe, then you might develop a relationship (not necessarily a romantic relationship). That's how you start to get to know people. It's not that deep. Most people have decent intentions.

There's also times when you can be walking by someone and think to yourself "Wow she's beautiful. Maybe I should try asking her name and starting a conversation." And then you do just that.

I've always found it strange that people get so defensive about a name. Most people in the world aren't trying to stalk you and find out what your daily life is like, where you live, etc. They're just being friendly and social. That's how you build relationships.

My friend who's in real estate who I chill with pretty often always greets everyone he sees and asks for names whenever he gets a chance (not usually just from walking by someone though). And because of that, he knows pretty much everyone. It's crazy how many people he knows. His whole neighborhood knows him. Every restaurant I've went with the dude, he employees or owners know him. Every clothing store's employees knows him too. Walking through a park? There's bound to be at least one person that knows him too.

Obviously only share your name if you're comfortable to do so, but just saying... I believe it's 95% of the time just a friendly way of initiating conversation and developing a relationship, even if it's just a name shared the first encounter. Definitely always read the environment. When you're in a shady area, people COULD be one of those creeps that you don't want to know anything about you, but for the most part people are kind.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@HawkPerception The grocery store scenario seems very normal to me and I would be fine with that. I just wanted to get some other perspectives because I'm a little rusty, ahem. I've just never asked "What's your name?" to a random guy who was obviously on his way somewhere else.

But you know me... on defense all the time. I'm working on it. I just thought this might be a good example of something I consider strange that may not be at all. Thanks for the detailed feedback! :D

[HawkPerception]

No problema 😊

[Static_In_The_Attic]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ACWTcbe9ixg

SOUND THE ALARMS he asked you your name!

[TheRealPepperPotts]

Au Contraire. Sound the alarm, we have a trekkie on G@G! :D LOL

[Static_In_The_Attic]

@TheRealPepperPotts Beam me up baby! 🖖

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@Static_In_The_Attic I'm on it, Captain! :D

[Static_In_The_Attic]

Warp speed ahead.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

We boldly go where no man has gone before... :D

[Static_In_The_Attic]

I’ll have to show you the captain’s log. Hahaha.

[DishLady]

Possibly he had been watching you and ran a scenario in his mind that led to this question. He also probably just wanted to make contact with you in some way before you moved on from wherever you were. (An impulsive response to his fear that he’d miss the chance to chat you up.) He was probably mentally kicking himself for being goofy and abrupt….


It’s not usually the norm, but since Covid many people, guys and girls, have lost their communication skills, but his interest was probably genuine.

[spartan55]

Yeah, that's weird. I think your 'social moron' assessment was correct.

[Red_Arrow]

Simple. Ask him why he wants to know.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

I just laughed and kept walking. :)

[NathanDavis]

probably that stupid thing they see online "cold approach" or whatever

[msc545]

Possibly autistic

[dudegreat91]

Yeah he wants to boink :D

[eagle1951]

whats wrong with telling him your name

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@eagle1951 Why does he need to know? There's zero connection. I was literally just walking by.

[eagle1951]

I was brought up to believe that to be someone's friend or to get to know someone. it starts with knowing who you are talking to

[TheRealPepperPotts]

I can see that after an initial interaction or when being introduced. I'm not sure that calling out to someone on their way somewhere else is normal, though...