Posted 3 May 2007 by Terry Goodman, volunteer and calligrapher,
Waco, Texas USA
Was an attorney at the Texas Attorney General's Office and attended the
annual Christmas party. Name tags were prepared but the tag table was not at the
very front door. There was room for people to gather and visit before they reached the tag table. My escort (this was in the 1960s) was wearing a handkerchief in his
suit pocket decorated with "Merry Christmas." He was not a member of the
staff, so no one knew him, and people started saying "Hi there, Merry
Christmas!" (as if that were his name). It ruined his whole evening. and of course he removed the
handkerchief. I am doing nametags for a dinner on October 11, 2007, and
appreciated the idea of the nametag tent. I shall use them for the head
table. Thank you so much.
Posted 11/15/2006 by Aarin, Marketing Manager,
Name Tag, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
My advice: Don't over clutter your name tag. Most people tend to think of
their name tags as a resume and want to list anything and everything on it
-- don't.
Some general pointers to keep in mind when you are designing your name tags:
- Make sure it is legible from 5 to 10 feet away.
- Try to limit your tag to include the essentials such as your name and
company.
- It is a common practice to wear your name tag on your left so when you
shake hands with your right, you are not obscuring the tag.
Remember, a name tag is a tool, so be creative and use it to its fullest.
For more tips and/or to purchase name tags, visit www.nametag.com
Posted 10/24/2005 by Bill Kennedy,
Altus Canada,
Project Manager,
Toronto, ON Canada
My advice: be creative with your name tag! I was at an English / French event and found that people were sticking to their own side. Wanting to meet the French people, I turned my name tag over and wrote "Guy Guelle de Bois" on it (rough English translation - Harry Hangover). It broke the ice and I met a bunch of people.
Posted 4/18/00
Submitted by Mary Kay Sandell, Volunteer Coordinator VNA, PA. U.S.A.
Recently a few of our Hospice nurses attended a very elegant seminar
with many professional people. They were a little late and very quickly
filled out their nametags and attached them. They entered the room
and started talking to people around them. One of the nurses found
many people staring at her and began to feel uncomfortable. She asked
another nurse if something was the matter. In the middle of the seminar
these nurses began laughing and couldn't stop. Soon others around
them also began laughing. Patty one of the nurses had written Chicken
on her nametag. This was her selection for dinner!!! We have gotten
so much laughter from this incident.
Posted 4/18/00
Submitted by Martha Diaz, Community Relations, Guardian Ad Litem Program,
Miami, Florida
More often than not, I have sat at "The NameTag Table" at an event,
and almost always, someone will show up who insists they RSVP'd, but
most likely didn't, or who somehow got overlooked by the mail merge
or something. These people are devastated about not having a nametag,
almost as if they had been bypassed for a life-saving organ transplant.
Therefore, for the not-so-formal occasions, I make blank tags (for
everyone so there are no distinctions), I arm myself with four or
five Sharpies, and let them do it themselves. I have used pins, and
got complaints because they make holes in clothes; I used Clips and
was told that some people have nothing to clip them to. The string
method messes up peoples' hair. Stickies are considered to be in poor
taste. What I learned is: You can't please everybody, so don't try.
Posted by 4/18/00
Submitted by Marsha Riddle
Well, there was a time in the 1970's when a friend named Judy, M.J.,
and I were traveling from Atlanta and in our rush to get out of the
the way of the afternoon traffic, we all forgot to take those blooming
name tags off. I don't remnember the specific style of name tag, but
I do remember the inquiry in the bar as we waited to be seated. The
older gentleman peered curiously at the NCAVA and asking if we were
members of the North Carolina Africian Violet Association. All the
initials and labels we place as information about ourselves is really
a lot to do about nothing. What I remember is the person, and at my
age it is easier to remember one name......so Susan is enough for
me, in large enough letters to see. Just my thoughts.....Marsha
Posted 4/11/00
Submitted by Catherine Bickford-White, Volunteer Co-ordinator Government
House Historical Society, Saskatchewan, Canada
When I started reading this article I thought that is was going to
be about name tags for volunteers. I thought how timely as I had just
set the wheels in motion for that this morning. I thought it would
have some great info on the dos and don'ts, first names only? Proper
letter size, for the visual effect? Anyway, I enjoyed the article.
Unfortunatly the only story I have is one of a warning. I was at a
conference and our name tags had both our first and last names. Some
of the women neglected to remove the tags before going into the public
areas of the hotel. They then began to recieve some not so pleasant
phone calls in thier rooms. One can never be too careful.
Posted 4/11/00
Submitted by Denise M. kapsa, Manager, Volunteer Services: Saint Joseph's
Regional Medical Center , Indiana
I just pulled up your web page and got chuckle on the "name tag" issue.
So true....It is not a big deal. I like to see us put the city that
you are from to use it as an ice breaker. It works and everybody is
busy sharing stories of their cities. Thank you for the article.
Posted 4/7/00
Submitted by Tammy H., Director of Volunteers, Kingsport
The nametag thing is a hoot. I personally hate dealing with them.
Others here are constantly asking folks to wear them who see each
other on a regular basis. It feels as though we are contributing to
senility! However, if worse comes to worse, opt out for name tent
cards for meetings and such. The participants don't have to wear anything,
and they are alot easier to read from a distance!
Posted 4/7/00
Submitted by Sue Alexander, Coordinator of Volunteers, Peoria Park
District, Illinois
Regarding the necessary "evil" nametags, I long ago decided to give
in and admit I couldn't remember names all that easily, even when
I couldn't quite read the nametag. However, I desparately wanted to
remember! So, when I meet someone new with a nametag, I introduce
myself, look specifically at their tag, read the name outloud and
then say hello to the person. I find the other person does the same
with me. Also, what is worse is when I meet someone I've met before,
I can't remember their name, and they are NOT wearing a nametag. I
say hello, tell them my name, and say, "I know I know you, but I have
to admit I can't remember your name." The look of relief comes over
their face and they look at me and laugh and say, "You know, I couldn't
remember yours either!" Immediately we share a common problem, laugh,
and have a delightful talk. The strange thing is that once I admit
I can't remember the name, I remember it from then on!
Posted 4/5/00
Submitted by Robert Dehaan, Volunteer
I have nothing to add to your hilarious name-tag piece other than
that I think the stickum kind should be plastered on the wearer's
forehead. That places less demand on one's peripheral vision.
Posted 4/5/00
Submitted by Cindy Fairs, Consultant, Okanagan Volunteer Management
Services, British Columbia, Canada
A great way to recycle those name tags is to throw them all into a
box after the workshop and than draw a name for a prize. That way
you get them all back again!
Posted 4/4/00
Submitted by Sally Coder-Martinez, Volunteer Services Program Director,
Alternatives For Girls, MI, USA
Thanks, I needed that! As I read through the article I found myself
wanting to laugh my way through but instead found myself obssessing
about yet another detail in the day of my life--"Oh my gosh, do I
have the 'right' nametags, should we really use them, etc., etc."
This after a TOUGH day on tough subjects at the office--my plans to
FINALLY get that volunteer evaluation process implemented. Talk about
a room full of managers WAY to serious on life period! Walked out
of that meeting feeling like I needed to put my body parts back on
right and questioning my devotion to the field (of which I have been
a part for 10 years). Now, had I started off our meeting today with
my "cutsie" nametags and had everyone wear one right smack in the
middle of their shirt I might have felt better just for the FUN of
it.......Thanks for reminding me what gets me through--the humor in
it all!
Posted 4/3/00
Submitted by Winnie Morgan, Trainer/Speaker, Volunteerism, Chapel
Hill, NC, USA
I loved your "name tag thoughts". One suggestion on the plastic holders
no matter how you feel about them---recycle them! In one service organization,
there is a humorous rule that only the five ribbon folks can talk
with other five ribbon folks! The attached ribbons can get out of
control as far as creating a culture of "class and importance". I
have found one beneficial use of "used" name tags(the paper part).
If I have taken photos at that event, I stick the name tag in the
photo album with the photos because it usually gives the dates and
location of the event! Otherwise, I too have the "jack in the box"
drawer! Love your humor---keep it coming!
Posted 4/3/00
Submitted by Priscilla Lorah, Research Associate, Chronicle Guidance
Publications, Inc, NY, USA
Great! You have really said it all about nametags! You are certainly
right about needing daily humor.
Posted 4/3/00
Submitted by Wally Elton, Program Director, Student Conservation Association,
NH, USA
I have found that pinning the nametag on a head band works well. From
a slight distance, you can't tell whether the other person is looking
you in the eye or at the nametag.
Posted 4/3/00
Submitted by Wendy Fustino, RSVO Director, NY/USA
Started my Monday morning out with the nametag article - good chuckle!!
Loved the wedding cum recognition line - probably since our recognition
is next week, and I do feel like Fronk, the infamous wedding planner!!
Posted 4/3/00
Submitted by Joy Golliver , President Ignite The Community Spirit,
Washington, USA
I ask that when we are talking about conferences, etc. to remember
that there are many people who attend who do not "work" for the organization
on their nametag. They are volunteers for that agency. There perhaps
should be a way to tell who is staff and who is volunteer.
