Impressions of a Name Tag; Miss Manners

Miss Manners answered a question that runs rampant among workers who wear a name tag as part of a uniform. While this question is not always comfortable to ask, we are here to answer it. Name tags are a great tool for personal identification. People have been using them for many, many years in many, many circumstances. Retailers, restaurants, hotels and other consumer service providers continue to use them.

Miss Manners Judith Martin Name Tag Advice

The question posed: “Is it presumptuous to start a personal conversation with a person who is wearing a name tag?”

Miss Manners gave the following answer:

Miss Manners: A name tag does not invite personal questions. A server’s name tag is not an invitation for friendship.

By Judith Martin, “Miss Manners” (Advice Columns, August 11, 2015)

DEAR MISS MANNERS:

Sometimes I see patrons in a store or restaurant peer at the service employee’s name tag and say something like, “Hello there . . . Tiffany . . . how are you today?” It always comes out with this forced conviviality, as if to say, “Look, everyone! I’m a good, egalitarian person treating the lowly server as a person. Isn’t that great of me?”

I think it actually says, “You have such a menial job that you’re forced to wear a stupid name tag, so I know your name and feel free to use it even though I don’t know you — but you don’t know my name because I’m a higher-class person and get to dress the way I want.”

I think name tags are just so you know whom to refer to if needed, as in, “I think Tiffany is our server. Could you ask her to bring the check?” Am I right to see this as presumptuous behavior?

GENTLE READER:

The presumption in the greeting you mention is not in using Tiffany’s name, but in asking the waitress how she is “doing,” a question about her mood or life that is not relevant to the business at hand.

Miss Manners has no objection to using a form of address that has been supplied by the addressee, even if, in this case, it may technically have been Tiffany’s boss who chose the form. She does wish the form supplied was more formal, as she agrees with you that first names in this context are an invitation to mistreatment.

a server wearing a professional name tag

So, in not so many words, remember what Miss Manners teaches about the etiquette of respecting someone’s personal boundaries. While it is nice to know your server’s name at a restaurant, be kind. Treat all those in service positions in the same manner in which you want to be treated. Name tags are a convenient way of remembering someone’s name. They are an identifier and as such, we should treat them with respect.

No matter your profession, we have a name tag that is suitable for your needs.

Shop All Name Tags

Fun Ways to Say Thank You with Name Tags

Use a customized name tag, name plate or sign to express appreciation for those around you.

Saying “Thank you” to someone could be considered the most powerful two words in any language. Why not use it more frequently? There isn’t a single person in the world who doesn’t appreciate hearing these two little words as an expression of appreciation, respect and courtesy. In fact, if people were to say it more often to each other, we would all have a better sense of well being.

With that being said, how do you remember to say thank you? And why is it so important? There are many things to be thankful for. Good service that you received while at a restaurant, a thoughtful gift from a friend at a time that you were feeling a bit down, having someone respect a simple request such as not spoiling the end of a movie.

While it is easy to remember to say thank you for many things, especially if it is in the moment that it occurs, sometimes it gets a bit hard to remember to say thank you for the little things. Try ordering a customized sign that will remind you on a daily basis to say thank you for those little things. Order a bunch of simple name tags with a simple engraved thank you expressing your appreciation and give them out to friends, family or co-workers.

Need something a little more accessible? Try a name plate with a customized message that you can place on your desk to remind the people around you at work, or at your home office, that they really are appreciated in your life. All of our products are customizable to fit any need or situation. From a sign you can hang on your office door to the suggested name tags to hand out as a written thank you, all people appreciate the courtesy of a simple thank you.

Pay attention to the number of times you say thank you in a day and keep trying to up that number. By the end of just one week you will be well on your way toward developing a great habit that will fill your life with many great and wonderful things. So, whether you are at work, at home or out and about, develop a habit to say thank you more often.

Personal Identification Product Examples

Ever wish you could try on a name tag before you buy it?

Examples are available if you ask!

Most stores will let you try on a shirt or a pair of pants to make sure that the fit, color, size and shape are what you’re looking for. When you shop for towels, pots/pans and many other items, you can hold them and look at those too. But, how often do you get to try examples of name tags and other personal identification products?

name tag inc offers product examples to curious customers

Picture this: your boss opens a box of name badges that you ordered for a trade show or meeting. Your company’s logo isn’t the expected quality, nor is the name badge. Now, you probably won’t be fired and may not even get in trouble for it; it wasn’t your fault anyway. But, with Name Tag, Inc., you never have to be in the position of disappointing anyone when ordering any personal identification products. You never have to run the risk of hearing, “These don’t support the quality of our brand.”

personalized identification examples pack

We take out all the risk of buying personal identification products. Experience the high quality of our products by requesting samples of the products you choose. Example requests are for generic products showing the capabilities of our machines and processes. Your complimentary product package will arrive within three to four business days. While we do not offer the actual product without an order, we are more than happy to send something similar in nature so that you will be able to make the correct purchase when it comes time. Get peace of mind and just ask for a product example!

Just a couple of quick sample terms:

Products will not include any personalized information (your name, your logo, etc).
Color and material chips may be selected as part of the example packet.
These products do not count as a design proof. If you would like to purchase duplicates of the item sent to you then you must relay the specific design information to your customer service agent.
Any products sent may vary from those shown on the order form.

Custom Shaped Name Tags as Unique as You

From dogs and fish to houses and teeth, we have custom shaped name tags to meet any and every need. No matter your business, organization or even for personal use, we have something just for you.

custom shaped name tags laser plastic engraved

Name tags are meant to be personal, they are meant to be unique. They have your name on them after all, so why not make them a little extra special? At Name Tag, Inc. you can choose a custom shape for your laser engraved plastic name tags with practically any shape you would like. Our unique, custom shaped name tags allow you to create a name tag that represents your company or cause completely and exclusively.

Highlight the shape of your logo. Or, simply draw more attention to it by choosing from one of our custom designs. Choose from a variety of stock shapes, such as an oval or a circle. While we have many stock shapes, if we don’t have what you need, our design team is ready to help. Our team will work with you on a shape to meet your specifications. They will also help out with those extra little ideas.

Adding Logos to Custom Shaped Tags

For those wanting their brand or logo to really stand out, the custom shaped name tags are definitely the way to go. Provide us with your logo and give us a list of names and titles of employees or volunteers to customize each name tag.

Now that you’ve gone to the trouble of requesting a personalized, engraved plastic name tag and provided a list of names and the perfect logo that represents your company or cause, you can add that extra bit of flair with a shape that will really make you stand out.

Make them YOU!

A name tag with a custom shape, color and size makes a visual verification of the name tag easier. These name tags draw the customers’ eyes straight to you, leaving them with nothing to wonder. The different shapes or sizes will help make your name tag stand out from the crowd. Just let your imagination run wild and design a badge that will separate you from your competition.

The Importance of Wearing A Name Tag (Part 3)

Is it necessary to wear a name tag? (Part 3 of 3)

“If everybody wears name tags, no more fighting, no more intolerance and no more disrespect.”

~Scott Ginsberg~

Name tags are part of many people’s daily lives. They are worn at department stores, restaurants and many other places in order to identify the wearer to the patrons of these establishments. Pulling from the definition of a name tag: it is an identification label worn as a means of showing one’s name and/or affiliation.

Scott Ginsberg has come up with a philosophy about wearing these name tags. “Everyone should wear name tags, all the time, everywhere, forever.” Scott is The Name Tag Guy. He is the only person in the world who wears a name tag 24-7. He has taken this simple idea and turned it into a business and his adventures have earned him recognition as “The World’s Foremost Expert on Name Tags.” Scott has written several books on approachability, marketing, branding, leadership, creativity and business strategy. He also speaks about these topics.

“A few years ago I gave a speech to a group of individuals with disabilities. I was terrified. I thought the message would go completely over their heads. And I assumed that their intelligence level would keep them from understanding me. I was wrong. They loved it. Best audience I’ve ever had. Afterward, a young man from the front row ran up to me with a huge smile on his face. And although his mental condition made it very difficult for him to speak, he placed his hand on my chest and said: ‘It’s not the name tag; it’s the heart behind it.’ Just because someone is broken doesn’t mean they can’t teach you.”

These special people taught Scott a great lesson and everyone else can learn the same. Name tags may be a standard in many places, but they are unique. They present you in a way that is very specific to you. No one else can take credit for you, except you. So, in answer to the original question, YES! It become necessary at a point in everyone’s life to wear a name tag.

Whether it’s for professional or social reasons, name tags will always play an important role in your life. To quote Scott, “Through the basic unit of self-disclosure, we reduce the social distance between each other. We don’t have to snap our fingers to get someone’s attention. We just say their name and start engaging. The name tag is a conversational entry point. It’s an interactional accelerator. Permission granted, socialization ensues and the lines of communication are sparked open.”