I hate Name Tags

I hate name tags, probably as much as a steer, on the range, hates brands. For the most, part I live a name tag free life. They were part of another time, when for practical  reasons, it was supposedly necessary to label the people who were floating through each other's lives, like ships in the night.

On the other hand, in this small community life, there is the time to get to know a name as as we get to know the person. Some names become an integrated part of everyday living.

I see from my daughters' photos, that sometimes they wear lanyards around their necks, attached to  plastic pockets holding, no doubt, their names as well as the necessary business information of their being, as they navigate their way through business doings. Very practical, but try to imagine name-tagged guests at a wedding. Somehow it goes against the spirit of the celebration,

A family story I love is about an encounter, my favourite aunt had in her later years. She and my uncle were at a neighbour's cocktail party, an event that was not all that common in her life. At some point she became part of a conversation with an older gentleman, about her age. My aunt for me was an especially interesting woman, because she was always interested in what was going on around her.  She was engaged in a long animated conversation, not always the hallmark of cocktail party chatter. In time, they parted and my aunt went off to find her somewhat shy husband. His eyes were sparkling with amusement. "What on earth were you talking about all that time ?", he wanted to know. My aunt said she was telling the tales of her childhood growing up in the house across the street that her grandfather had built and where she had raised her family and continued to live.

My uncle asked if she knew the name of the man with whom she had been talking. She replied she had no idea. My uncle was delighted to tell her, the man was none other than Marshall MacLuhan, the guru of communication theory, the medium is the message. My aunt laughed at the amusing serendipity of the encounter. If he had been wearing a name tag, it wouldn't have happened. She likely would have been uncomfortable with the conversation. My aunt and Marshall MacLuhan would have been the lesser for it.

If others want to join the name tagged, I have no objection, but I know I am not the only one who is uncomfortable with the practice. Some do not want a sticky piece of paper shoved on a favourite sweater, some do not like the aesthetics of it all and some think that it in some way diminishes a sense of privacy.

I perceive there are those who are affronted, when some individuals decline the fine offer to be labelled, along with the other labelees and valiantly try to make contact between name tag and the nameless.

Whatever the reason, just let the nameless be. Put down your pen and sticky paper. They know who they are and just like me, may hate name tags.