Tuesday, October 4, 2011

I've Got a Theory: An Untested Name Tag Theory

You know when you go to some kind of function where everyone is not very likely to know your name, they have those little "Hello, my name is" stickers?

I cannot seem to grab the marker and write my ACTUAL name. Maybe a crazy version of my name, but not my name itself. And if it's a type of thing where it's of great importance to actually have my real name there and I manage to write it, I can barely manage to wear it.

My theory is that it's a writer thing.

But I've never actually tested my theory, since the only place I usually hang out with authors in hordes is at writing conferences-- the one place where I actually LIKE my name tag to say the correct name. So other than at writing conferences, any of you guys have this same problem? Is it a writer thing, or is it just a me thing?

(Side note: I've always wanted to go to a function with a group of people who were all on board with the changing-of-the-names thing, and have our names be Aie, Bea, Cici, Dede, Effie, Gigi, etc.)

(And did this post remind anyone else of that one Buffy episode the year after they all turned into their costumes? They all worried the same thing would happen again, so they dressed in costumes of much more capable people than they did the last Halloween. Xander dressed as 007. Willow dressed as Joan of Arc because "I figured we had a lot in common, seeing as how I was almost burned at the stake. Plus she has that close relationship with God." Then they asked her boyfriend Oz who he was, and he moved his jacket away so you could see his name tag. It read "God." If you were worried you'd get turned into your costumes, yet still have to fight baddies, I can't say that was a bad choice. :))

OKAY. A couple of tangents later, let's get back to the question. When you see that blank name tag, what are you likely to write in the blank?

22 comments:

Liz Reinhardt said...

Always my fave fictional character...sometimes I'm Jessica Darling, or sometimes I'm HER fictional character (she gets fictionalized in a book in the book ;)), Jen Sweet! It's a cool way to meet big YA fangeeks!

Christine Tyler said...

You called it. My nametag usually ends up with a dinosaur or a robot on it.

I'm married now, but once upon a time it was a real guy-magnet. XD

Writer Pat Newcombe said...

I always deliberate whether to put my full name or what I am generally known as. But there again, I am called different names by different folks - I guess 'sweetie' won't do?

Jennie Bennett said...

This is hilarious! I don't have this problem, but I think I might from now on :)

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

I would think that you'd just write "Cookie" on the tag.

Cortney Pearson said...

How fun, I've never thought of putting a different name on those tag thingies. I'm boring and usually just write my name as it is, although I do like to doodle and spiff up my name a bit.

Lan said...

I've never actually had to be somewhere where name tags were required and everywhere I've been that did they usually already have your name all done up for you. It's pretty boring now that I think about it. I would probably do a Homer Simpson and choose the coolest name out there. Max Power!

Shilpa Mudiganti said...

My favorite fictional character ever - Dagny Taggart (Atlas Shrugged). How I wish she was real!

Jeigh said...

I did the Inago Montoya one for Halloween once.

When we went with my sister to tour a college I put "Hannah Paper", one of my high-school-inside-joke-aliases. Then we had to introduce ourselves, so I had no choice but to intro myself as Hannah Paper. The look my mom gave me...

Kristine said...

I think I'd put Tammy. Oh wait, you did that last time!

Unknown said...

I haven't been anywhere I was required to wear a name tag since grade school but I have ordered coffee as Jack Sparrow or other such names. They never get my real one right anyways ;D

Iain said...

It seems that you are not alone on this one. I tend to write a version of my name in capitals where the A is upside down, and the N is back to front. This has the effect of making my name upside down and back to front. (If you held it on it's side against a mirror, then it would read correctly). Also, once, when I was at a wedding, we were all given name tags. I filled mine in with 'Gate Crasher'.

WilyBCool said...

I think I would have one that says "Make My Day" Just to see what happens ;D

Elizabeth To’oā MacDonald said...

lol @ the thought of 'Hello, my name is God.'
I've never been creative enough to give myself an interesting name because I have enough problems deciding what my real one is. But you've given me a challenge for my next name tag now. I suppose Pussy Galore isn't being too creative . . . neither is Wonder Woman. I might just be 'You'.

Tara Tyler said...

you are a goofball!
what made you come up with this silly post?
when i go to my kids' schools i have to wear a visitor sticker and i usually put it on my jeans, to be different =)

Anonymous said...

Peggy you are funny!
I'm fine with just my first name on a tag... but pick the situation for my whole name ... and then I stick the sticker where most can't see it .. the hem of my shirt... on my arm.. LOL

Lynn(e) Schmidt said...

I've never been to a function where I've had to WRITE my name in...it's usually the name badge, check in, pick up type of thing. But--even then, that's hard--I lie to the people who put my name badge up (I mean, we have writing names for a reason, right?)

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! I do the same thing, only with restaurant reservations--you know, the kind you make at the last minute, when there's an hour wait. I love finding ridiculous, hard to pronounce names. ;)

Emily R. King said...

I'm with you. I'd rather be the only person in the room that people have to come up to and ask my name than have it on my chest where they can stare at my cleavage and pretend to read it. Call me crazy but having people know my name is creepy.
Funny post! : )

Peggy Eddleman said...

Elizabeth-- I love it!

Christine-- That's freaking awesome. I hadn't thought of drawing pictures instead of a name!

Pat-- I think "sweetie" would do just fine! It's true we get called a lot of names. I say pick the one you like best. :)

J.A.-- Yay! I'm excited at the prospects of your name tags from now on!

Richard-- Hahaha! That's what's going on my next name tag FOR SURE.

Cortney-- If you choose to / have to have your own name on your name tag, then doodling is definitely the way to go!

Lan-- Max Power! I love it! Okay, next time you're out shopping, you must buy a package of "Hello, My Name Is" stickers. Wear them to the store, to work, around the house... And put a different name every time. It's good for the soul.

Shilpa-- Awesome one!

Jeigh-- That's an awesome, awesome story. I love it! Yes, it can definitely put you in a pinch. Totally worth it, though.

Kristine-- Hahaha! Yep, I've definitely used that one. I even dressed up as Tammy for Halloween. :) Best costume ever.

Taryn-- Giving false names in other places is just as great as putting it on a name tag!

Iain-- Hahahaha! Those are great! LOVE it.

Wily-- You should totally do that! And then come back and tell us how it went. :)

Elizabeth-- I don't know about thinking it's not too creative. If I went a name-tag-wearing somewhere and someone wore a name tag that said Pussy Galore, Wonder Woman, or You, I'd die laughing. Those are awesome!

Tara-- Last week I had to go to a get-to-know-you function where I knew about 1/3 of the people. It was actually the second one with the same group. At the first, I used the name Pegito. I STILL get called that name by some of these people every week! I decided I best use my real name, and it nearly killed me.

Michelle-- Hahaha! You rebel, you.

Lynn(e)-- I can't say I've ever lied on printed name tags. I might just have to start!

Carrie-- You just inspired me to turn over a new leaf. The next time a restaurant asks my name, I'm saying "Carrie Ann" in your honor.

E.R.-- Haha! I hadn't even thought about it that way. Maybe next time I'll put my name tag on my forehead. ;)

tammy said...

Awesome. Since my brain rarely cooperates when I need to come up with a name on the fly, I will pre-think a few choice selections. I just regret that most of the places I go that require a name tag preclude me from daring to use 'GOD' as an option. I miss Oz.

Peggy Eddleman said...

Tammy-- Yeah, church socials aren't really the best place to use "God" on your name tag-- unless you want to get struck by lightning! I miss Oz, too.