personal identification - Influencing Identity

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

The Functionality of Name Plates In The Work Place

Many people need to work to make a living, and many jobs require personal identification. This can be as simple as wearing a name tag. In office settings, a name plate is often the most effective way to identify employees. This is because the primary function of a name plate is to inform viewers of a person’s name and title.

Matching logos on an engraved name tag and name plate with a concierge desk and workers in the background that expresses The Functionality of Name Plates In The Work Place.

The Purpose of Name Plates

While it is a seemingly simple function, name plates play a critical role in workplace communication. And, each plate is typically designed with both the employee and employer in mind. When colleagues and clients can easily identify who they are interacting with, it creates a sense of belonging and respect.

Enhance any professional environment by clearly defining roles and responsibilities by using name plates. This is especially important in larger organizations where many employees work closely together. A name plate provides instant recognition, reducing the need for awkward introductions and enabling smoother interactions.

Consistency in Design

Many companies use a consistent style for identification to enhance their branding. By matching the color, font and design of every name plate, they create a cohesive look. This shows attention to detail and leaves a positive impression on clients and visitors. The functionality of name plates plays a key role in achieving this.

While some companies want a standard template design, others may want to create custom designs that include their company logo or color schemes. This customization allows a business to align their identification with a corporate identity and still provide individuality.

Flexibility and Functionality of Name Plates

Name plates are typically mounted on doors, walls or cubicles. The mounting method can significantly impact the professional appearance of the office space.

Name plates function better with a quality holder like these wall mounts, desk stand and even cubicle holders.

Common mounting options include:

Desk Holders: Allows name plates to sit directly on an employee’s desk, making them easily visible to anyone approaching.
Wall Mounts: Fastened to walls or doors using screws or double sided tape to quickly present offices and other spaces professionally.
Cubicle Hangers: Easily attach name plates to office cubicles without the need for screws by using double sided tape or simple tension.
Velcro or Magnetic Tape: These alternatives offer additional flexibility for easy adjustments and repositioning of name plates, accommodating any office layout or personnel changes.

Enhance Your Professionalism

Name plates do more than identify individuals; they enhance communication, professionalism and branding. With various mounting and customization options, choose a name plate that meets your business needs. Prioritize communication and strong branding by utilizing the functionality of name plates in any office setting.

Shop Name Plates

The Importance of Wearing A Name Tag (Part 1)

Why are name tags important? (Part 1 of 3) While the importance of wearing a name tag will be covered, first things first. Most people don’t randomly search for name tags. Those who do search for name tags are specifically looking for the product that will best suit their needs; whether at work or for another purpose (e.g., conferences or parties) name tags come in quite handy.

So, first things first, right? Why should you go to www.nametag.com for your name tag needs? Check out what our other customers have to say about us!

Customer Reviews

Name tag example package to help learn the importance of name tags.

M. Whitfield said, “Requested a sample…sales rep incredibly friendly. Sample arrived in timely manner. Great product, great service!”

C. Price said, “I have ordered the Mighty Badges from you many times and we have always been happy with them.”

L. Planchard said, “I used your chat function for a question and it was great! Fast and efficient. Easy site, too!”

M. Shaw said, “Very easy to move through your website. Simple. Great selections. Tried many other sites, none had small quantities allowed.”

Badge holder with a deluxe magnetic fastener.

N. Byrne said, “A co-worker ordered your magnetic name tags for use by our volunteers during an event held here in the City, and they were the perfect size! I would like all my staff who deal with the public to wear them. Clean and customizable. Just perfect!”

B. Martin said, “I just reordered some name tags and in the small box we a 3 fold flier that had some products listed on it and it triggered my mind that I needed to order the whole office name plates.”

Patrick said, “Your folks sent me the original proof very quickly. I requested some changes and the new proofs were available the next day! When I received the final product…it was just as I expected.”

A.M. Pratt said, “Used you guys in the past at companies that I have previously worked for. Great product, great service.”

Badge holder with printed insert and stock imprinted badge ribbon.

V. Meagher said, “First website I found that had the simple ribbons I needed for name badges and a straightforward way of ordering the quantities that I required. You made it easy. Thank you.”

K. Southerland said, “I enjoyed the fact that what I needed was right there and straight to the point. I didn’t need to guess about anything. Thank you.”

*All of these comments have been left through our customer service satisfaction survey.

Don’t just take our word for it! Check us out for all of your personal identification needs, and to learn more about the importance of wearing a name tag.

Name Tag Etiquette: Part 2

Event badges are the best way to identify yourself, especially when networking is a primary focus. Follow these guidelines and you will always be safe from sabotaging your success. So, what is the best way to print an event name badge?

Printing Event Badges

Event Badge holder with printed insert and handwritten name

Providing pre-printed event badges is one of the most effective investments you can make to the success of an event, especially a networking event. Yet many people waste this opportunity to help guests meet and greet at an optimum level. Here are a few tips to ensure your event name badges look great and are the most productive.

Keep the Printing Simple

All your event badges need is a first and last name with your affiliation or company underneath. Think twice about the need to provide any more information beyond these basics.

Printing the first name larger than the last name

While there are no hard and fast rules governing whether to enlarge the person’s first name, I submit that it’s best to print both the first and last name in the same size font. You will obviously see the person’s first name. However, if the last name is too small to be easily read, an opportunity to connect is lost since a person’s identity comes from knowing both a person’s first and last name.

No Honorifics and Titles for Event Badges

Do not place honorifics such as Ph.D. or Dr. or titles such as President or Sales Manager on event badges. You can learn this information as you converse. Only at special events will honorifics or titles be helpful, such as a doctor’s convention where the doctor’s specialties are important or a company conference where titles let others know what that person’s responsibilities are.

Adding a Company or Organization Name

Event Badge holder insert has three lines: name, title and association.

Besides a person’s first and last name, the only other information to print for an event badge is a person’s company or organization name; this is a great way to begin conversations. While we should all be proud of our affiliated organizations, seeing the person’s name is more important than knowing their affiliated company. Therefore, place the company name or logo at the bottom of the tag in a font size that’s easy to read yet smaller than the person’s name.

Host and Sponsor Organizations

Give acknowledgment to the sponsors of your event through the design of the badges, but never allow that information to override the all-important role of a name badge which is to introduce the person who is wearing it.

Choose a Font

Use big, bold fonts for printing and avoid script or fancy fonts. The goal is to make the badges easy to read, so choose your font wisely. With several thousand choices on most computers, your name badges do not need to be boring when selecting a font for readability. Some popular fonts for name badges include Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, Calibri and Times.

Font Size Matters

Print the names on the badges in a font size that practically fills the tag. It is a waste of an excellent networking tool to print the information on any badges in small type. Instead, begin with a large 40-point font and adjust the size to fit the names on each line. Some names are larger or shorter, so adjust the font size accordingly.

Print a Test of the Event Badges

Before printing your badges, print a single badge and look at it from the same distance it will be viewed at the event. Then, if there is any difficulty in reading any of the information, go back and make adjustments and try it again.

Now that you have your event badges, learn how to wear them at Event Name Tag Etiquette: Part 1.

By Syndi Seid, the world’s leading etiquette trainer, celebrity speaker and founder of San Francisco based Advanced Etiquette.

Event Name Tag Etiquette: Part 1

An event name tag is the best way to identify yourself, especially when networking is a primary focus. Follow these guidelines and you will always be safe from sabotaging your success. So, what is an event name badge and how do you wear them properly?

Should I bring my own name tag to events?

While arriving with your custom designed name tag ensures your name and affiliation are printed the way you like, it may not be in your best interest to do so. Consider this: event planners usually create tags specific to a particular occasion to identify those who legitimately belong at the event and those who do not. Wearing a name tag from outside the event may inadvertently convey the impression that you are crashing the party.

Squint Factor

There is nothing more disappointing than arriving at check in to see ineffective name tags. The logo of the hosting or sponsoring organization dominates the event tag. At the same time, names, company affiliations and every other detail, except your birth date, are printed so small they are not easy to read.

Remember the Purpose of the Name Tag

When preparing event name tags, think through the purpose of them. The tag should make communicating and networking easy for your event attendees. Always show names in spoken order, given name followed by surname, followed by your affiliation or company underneath. Think twice about the need to provide any more information beyond these basics.

Hosts and Sponsors

Sponsors and hosts are important to every event, and they deserve recognition. However, it is essential to remember that the person’s name is the most important information on the tag. Therefore, the majority of space should be devoted to presenting the person’s name. Thus, the logo or sponsoring affiliation should be smaller than the attendee’s name. It should never be the reverse.

Handwriting vs. Printing on Event Name Tags

Having tags printed and waiting is the perfect way to start an event. When this is impossible, provide dark pens and encourage everyone to write large enough that you can easily read their information from a distance, at least one half inch in height. Allow as much white space as possible; it helps others to easily read the badge.

Printed Tags

When generating pre-printed tags on a computer, choose a font that is easy to read. Arial, Myriad Web and Garamond are always good starting points. Sometimes it takes extra time to employ a little trial and error to find the correct font size and balance. However, it will be well worth the effort for optimum results. See part 2 of this article for information on printing event tags.

Wearing an Event Name Tag

Where should you place a name tag for networking? Wearing the tag high on your right shoulder gives other people the best view of the tag and your face. As you extend your right hand for a handshake, your eye and arm immediately draw to the right side of the person you are greeting. Because the uppermost part of your chest is the flattest area below your shoulder, this helps your tag to lie flat and be more secure. For women, this also prevents the awkwardness of drawing attention to a location we want to avoid having someone staring at. Placing the name tag high up in an easy to read and visible place keeps the focus on the tag where it should be.

Company Name Tags

Many businesses require their staff to wear name tags for identification. In this case, wearing such tags on the left shoulder is appropriate.

BONUS: Place name tags straight and in plain view.

Never wear your name tag crooked, sideways or upside down. It sends a negative message to others, usually implying a lack of respect for the occasion or a lack of care or interest in your appearance.

What other tips do you have to add to this list? Let us hear from you.