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Hello, My Name is...

The glory of name tags.

[Original Page Build: 2022-08-04 13:39:53]

[Content Updated: 2023-11-01 11:50:57]

When I got to Starbucks or the grocery store, I see the employees wearing their name tags. I love it. It really helps me learn their name, and over time, I greet people by their name. Most places I have worked, they issue badges, but most people do not proudly wear them. Most keep them in their wallet, pocket, or purse. Why don't more people don't wear name tags? Then I thought that I should start wearing a name tag. This is the name tag I came up with...

My wife gave me the name tag holder she got at a conference. It is a plastic sleeve to swap out the card inside. Plus, instead of a safety pin, this one has a magnetic back that holds the tag in place without poking holes in people's shirts. Brilliant!

I started with a basic card that states my name in big, bold letters. Next, I added swappable slips of paper that can be tucked above and below the name. My default slip states "Author" followed by my website. This informs people who and what I am and where they can find out more about me. The other slips of paper I use as conversation starters. When I first started wearing my name tag, the question was, "What do you like to read?" At Halloween, the conversation starter was, "What is your super power?"

OBSERVATIONS
The first observation are the reactions from people when they spot my name tag. Most often, people five the same series of reactions. They have an expression of curiosity, followed by a smirk, and sometimes a roll of the eyes. Since I am not a mind reader, I can only guess that these people think I am either some kind of weirdo or a narcissist. Of the two, I am definitely more of a weirdo.

The next observation I have is that the conversation starter works much better in close proximity. When I talk to people, which I am rarely shy about doing, people take more notice of the name tag and the conversation starter. The name tag works wonders! I have talked with people about being an author and what I am currently working on. Most people happily answer the conversation starter. This leads me to my next observation...

When I change out the conversation starter, I had better be prepared to answer it myself. My super power is easy...I tend to get more stuff done when I am not observed. The "what do you like to read?" question caught me off guard a couple of times. In return, a couple of people did not ask me what I like to read, but altered the question slightly to what I am currently reading. In the last couple of months, I have been dabbling in various indie authors. Even though I was in the middle of an indie author book, I could not remember either the author or the title of the book.

One final observation, I should include a QR code with my URL on the name tag or have more bookmarks on standby when people ask me about being an author and where they can find my works. I can tell them "checkeredscissors.com", but it would help if I could provide them some kind of physical reminder.

Not an observation, but my family thinks I am crazy and embarrassing for wearing my name tag. It is not often that I wear the name tag around them. Plus, I do not need to wear it around the house or when we visit friends.

WHY PEOPLE SHOULD WHERE NAME TAGS
Like I said above, name tags help me learn people's names, and it helps other people learn my name. I enjoy using other people's names, and most of the time, they seem to appreciate it when I greet them by name. I know when people use my name, I appreciate being recognized. Which is better? Having a Starbucks barista say, "Mocha frappuccino available at the bar!"? Or, "Doug, your order is ready!"? Okay, fine, you might not like being called "Doug".

One thing I find appealing about my name tag is that I not only tell people my name, but my occupation, too. In context, it's easy to know some people's occupations. You can pick police officers and medical professionals out of the crowd, especially when they are in uniform. When you go to different places of service, you know who is the barista, store clerk, or librarian. But, when you see the average person wearing their casual clothes, you would have to ask each person what they do (that is, if you are interested to know, which I am). If you saw me in public wearing my typical jeans (or shorts) and a t-shirt, would you have any idea that I write stories or test software or tame lions? Ok, not that last one. Still, sometimes what we do for a living or what we do for fun is among the most interesting things about ourselves.

The conversation starters are also a big plus. How often have you spotted someone attractive, but hesitated to approach them because you had no idea what you were going to say? Now, imagine you and that other person had name tags with conversation starters or your occupations? You have an instant opportunity to talk about something each person is interested in. Or, if you see that their conversation starter asks, "What is your opinion of medical leeching?" you might reconsider talking to them after all.

I'm going to keep up wearing my name tag in public regardless of what people think. What is your opinion of name tags? Would you wear one? If so, what conversation starter would you use?

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