The other day I ran into a gentleman I hadn’t seen in a long time. He was someone I really looked up to. Although he was retired now, he had taught me a lot about the work that I do. I considered us friends, and it was good to see him again.

We shook hands, chatted for a bit, and then he said, “What was your name again?”

Clearly I had not made as much of an impression on him as he had on me.

Nevertheless I took the opportunity to convey to him just how much I felt he had taught me during the time we had worked together. I explained at some length how important I felt it was to continue his legacy, and how I had worked hard to do so.

I made the mistake of taking a breath at one point. “Right,” he said. “Well, I have to go now.”

Probably I had embarrassed the man, and that’s why he left so abruptly. Or maybe he just had to pee.

Did the encounter undermine the respect I have for the man?

Of course not.

But it was damned amusing.