What Insignificant Details Of Your Life Do You Remember?

[naomi24]

Mikey’s thread about going to the Chelsea Flower Show in 1989 prompted this question. It amazes me that some people recall so specifically what I consider to be unimportant dates and details. Why would they? I have a friend who remembers exactly when she went to various places or events, and the names of all the hotels she’s ever stayed at going back years. I remember going to places but I couldn’t say when I went and certainly not where I stayed. In fact sometimes when I look at pictures I struggle to remember where I was when the picture was taken!

[Jackdaw33]

Perhaps because it was a singular event in their lives.

[bodeker]

I can get quite annoyed with myself because some things I can remember clearly and others I have no memory of and I say how can you not remember quite important events.

[jourdain2]

I have so much that I can remember. Earliest memory is, after being carried by Mum to the toilet to wee late at night (so somewhere around 18 mths. old), feeling the edges of the door jambe over her shoulder - just as she closed the door! I can still remember the pain and shock.

Another clear memory is 1968, trailing my hand in the water as friends and I were rowing on the River Aire at Saltaire during the Summer holidays. We had finished A-levels and were all going our separate ways. It was the age of flower-pow everything was possble and it was a glorious day. :)

[naomi24]

I imagine everyone remembers special moments, but that's not the same.

[tonyav]

34 years ago today I was in Rotterdam ( not insignificant though ).

[Old_Geezer]

My memory has always been rather poor; but I do recall lying in a carry cot in my grandmother's back/dining room, and everyone being quiet. I guess that's quite insignificant.

I also recall cycling to my relative dairy early one morning (most likely a Saturday) to help with the deliveries. The street lights still shining and the road going over the hill and down the other side.

I recall delivering a charity card to those who subscribed weekly, and it being so cold my hands were actually blue.

And the more I write here the more insignificant incidents I recall.

But actual dates, no. Years go by and I couldn't tell you what happened to me that year more often than not.

[Mamyalynne]

Good win that Tony :-)

[naomi24]

OG, //But actual dates, no. Years go by and I couldn't tell you what happened to me that year more often than not. //

Exactly. We all retain memories of childhood - that's not unusual.

[tonyav]

It sure was, Mamya :-)

[Old_Geezer]

Only some have an eidetic memory. I should be so lucky. Had I one I could be another Sheldon.

[naomi24]

Maybe ^that's the answer.

[Jackdaw33]

I suppose dates can be remembered because a significant event occurred on or around a date significant to the person. As an example, if someone asks me the date of my confirmation I will reply, '24th November,1963'. The reason I can pinpoint the date is because JFK was shot on Friday, 22nd November.

[Tilly2]

I drive Mr T mad because I don't remember the things he does. He has a brilliant recall of when, who, where and what. I, on the other hand, have very little recognition of these events. He will say, 'When we went to Halifax, Nova Scotia , we had a lovely meal in Salty's restaurant. You had............blah, blah, blah and I had blah, blah, blah.....' and I say, 'Oh, yes', thinking to myself, 'Did we?'

My head is full of day to day things, not memories of the past.

[Cloverjo]

I have a friend who can remember exactly what clothes and shoes everyone was wearing on our nights out where something significant happened. This is about 25 years later, now.

[CrapAtCryptics]

Standing on top of an old top loading washing machine being washed when I was 2 - nearly fell in......

[tonyav]

You must have been posh, CrapAtCryptics, I had to make do with standing in the kitchen sink or on the draining board.

[Cloverjo]

My OH remembers the names of every play we've seen in every London theatre we've been in. I struggle to even recognise that I've been in a particular theatre before, let alone remember what I've seen there.

[Peter Pedant]

OG eidetic memory is really a construct of the last century
current view is that none of us has it
children may - but it is lost as language skills are gained .... see

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidetic_memory

Ni has asked why some people remember things she doesnt and I dont think there is an answer to that

[DTCwordfan]

I can remember the most stupid details, - how about hotel names and even the rooms I stayed in - and I used to travel 200 plus nights a year for a number of years. Or how about golf scores and shots.....

At Uni, 2nd year, I shared a flat with a close friend. We regularly played snooker before going around to the Library, with me on the Uni team and playing senior amateur representational as well. One night in my sleep, I gave a running account of a 78 break that I had amassed against him....now that pisshhed him off well and truly!

[ladybirder]

I'm useless and so cross with myself that I didn't write where, when and who on my old photographs. So annoying. I can't even remember many big dates let alone insignificant ones.