Embarrassing moment at work
The other day I had one of my most embarrassing moments at work.
I was in a meeting. It had been called by a man we’ll call John Doe. He’s from Africa, and is an engineer. When, at the end of the meeting, we began writing up action items, I kept referring to John as Tom (also not his real name). Tom Deer is another African engineer who works in another building, but who I deal with semi-regularly as well.
When I realize what I was doing, I stupidly said “Why do I keep calling you Tom?”
I said that because I really didn’t know why. Then someone else in the meeting said “You are calling him Tom because of Tom Deer.”
Well, needless to say, it was quite embarrassing. It wasn’t true, at least not consciously. I apologized and fortunately, haven’t seen John since. Two black African engineers. I can’t tell them apart? Except I can. It was just like when you call one of your kids by the other child’s name. It just happens. The child is usually in trouble so you don’t have to worry about it.
Sigh.
Is it the first stages of my mental decline? The voices in my head say that’s ridiculous.