Become Smarter: Recognition Is Stronger Than Recall

You can recognize things that you can't recall. For example, one Easter morning in Kennesaw, Georgia the water pump on my old car gave out. While I was waiting in the auto repair shop a man came in and said, "I stayed in a hotel last night, but I can't remember the name. It had a big yellow sign with red letters." The repair guys gave him a blank stare so I said, "Look in the phone book." Speaking slowly and louder, he repeated, "I can't remember the name." I said, "Recognition is stronger than recall." He looked in the phone book, looked surprised, thanked me, and went to his hotel.