The wearing of name tags is a necessary, business etiquette requirement
in many situations such as, networking events, seminars, large business
meetings, and training workshops. Few people recognize the importance of a
properly placed name tag which cause a number of uncomfortable predicaments.
1. Your name tag does not belong on a strap around
your neck. Multi-day business conferences are probably the most likely occasion
for this faux pas. I know, the event coordinators believe they are providing
relief from the cheap stick-on name tags that fall off and seem to make their
way to the floor or someone else’s shoe. Or perhaps attendees are being saved
from the pin-on varieties that almost always snag and ruin several outfits.
So what is left? A necklace of questionable
quality from which a 5X7, plastic encased card hangs. Perhaps it could serve as
a souvenir from the event. I digress. The point is; this type of name tag invariably
gets twisted around so that the name is no longer visible to the person
standing in front of you – purpose lost! Or, the tag sits directly in the
middle of your chest; this is not a preferred location to stare at a woman
while trying to read her name. Please mind your manners.
2. A name tag does not belong on your belt or the
band of your pants/trousers. It’s just uncomfortable staring at a man’s middle
section trying to read his name. This location is also further from your eyes,
so if you are already having a hard time seeing the font size, now you need to
stare longer. Again, manners should prevail.
3. Finally, a name tag does not belong on your left shoulder. This will cause your eyes to shift back and forth across the body and could be misinterpreted as ‘checking out’ the other person.
Where does your name tag belong? Proper business etiquette says
your right side, slightly below your shoulder is the correct location. The
reason for this is because everyone, even lefties, shake hands with their right
hand. It is a natural flow for eyes to travel from the extended right hand, up
to the right shoulder, and continue on to meet the eyes of the other person.
Save yourself from the etiquette misstep of improper name
tag placement, locate your name tag on your right side, it’s the right way!
©Professional Etiquette Consulting LLC
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