Re: Would it help...

if I said, "I'm the guy who can lick his own eyebrows"?

I can understand the issue. I also hobby infrequently thus I know I need to be screened often. I try to send previous e-mail conversations to help jog the memeory or mention a unique conversation subject that the lady would remember me. As a suggestion maybe incorporate a policy where you ask the client at the end of a vist if they would like to see you in the future, or would like to use you as a reference (if they were not too naughty) sign up for a verification service like Preferre411 (client gets 6 months free if invited by a provider), Date-check, and/or whitelisted here. At least then if you can't remember the service will have record of your recommendation.

I think you did it the right way.  His ego was probably bruised a bit because he remembered meeting you much more than you remember him.  It's something that happens to someone who doesn't frequent an area all the often.  Don't worry too much about it.

While it's never been an issue for me (I'm heavily tattoo'd), I can see where it's a bit of a bruised ego on his part. Simply saying that you can't *quite* remember would be good enough. And a quick screen never hurt anyone.