“I Hate Name Tags”
Near the end of a pleasant meeting of fifteen people and a few newcomers, a group member suggested wearing name tags.
“I hate name tags!” came a voice proclaiming her unhappiness in a clear, strident voice.
Wait. What?
All eyes, brows raised, waiting for more, turned toward her. Expectant quiet fell, and then changed, to an uncomfortable moment when, sitting up straight and slapping her hands on jean covered thighs, she proclaimed again, “I hate name tags! I can’t stand them!”
In a low murmur a man breathed, “I’m old. I have trouble remembering names.”
The meeting ended, and people drifted away. I began to wonder why someone might hate name tags. This question led me down a long rabbit hole filled with Reddit, blogs, substacks, websites, and actual published scientific work about the pros and cons of wearing name tags. Yes, actual scientific studies with control groups and all the rest about NAME TAGS!
The topic of name tags seems especially appropriate today when Los Angeles is filled with National Guard troops as well as a battalion of Marines, and a military parade is occurring in Washington D.C. in honor of Trumps birthday—oh, maybe not, rather for honoring 250 years of the US Army. Also, No Kings Day marches are taking place in almost every city and town in the country. Millions of people are protesting tyranny and autocracy.
Name tags, on the other hand, seem neutral. They are under our control when nothing else is. We can take a stand and decide yes or no on name tag wearing when we can’t stop the avalanche of freedoms we are losing.
Back to the name tag rabbit hole. Actually, it was fun to read about the benefits and disadvantages of name tags, something I could get my head around when everything else is imploding, exploding?
Here is the list of disadvantages, according to science, of wearing name tags.
· Name tags may seem superfluous and pointless to some.
· They may be inconvenient with glue sticking to clothing and markers leaking ink.
· Name tags may seem tacky and get in the way of more natural conversation.
· People may feel a loss of control when wearing a name tag because someone might call on them or address them unexpectedly.
· Some feel that others will scrutinize or judge them when they wear a tag.
· In a group, some may want to remain inconspicuous or anonymous, and the name tag prevents that.
· In a small group some might feel that it isn’t difficult to learn names and that everyone should do that. They may think it is a test of friendship if group members don’t remember names.
Benefits of wearing name tags, what the research says:
· Name tags make a group more cohesive and will improve communication when everyone knows names.
· Wearing a name tag leads to more openness in the group.
· People may feel more comfortable welcoming a newcomer and engaging them in conversation if everyone wears name tags.
· Awkward moments can be avoided when someone can’t remember a name.
· There is reduced psychological distance and openness creating a more friendly environment.
· When group members wear name tags, people forego their anonymity and put themselves out there to make connections.
· Wearing name tags personalizes group members wearing a tag.
My Conclusion:
Taking a stance about wearing name tags or not wearing name tags may reflect our times. We can’t, singlehandedly, bring justice to those who are marginalized and those who are being deported. We seem powerless to bring back the mandate for diversity on college campuses and to insist that our representatives vote for food security and health care. Name tags, however, we CAN control. Wear them or not.