Q: On which side of the chest should you display your name tag?
A: Although it is easier for right handed people to put a name badge on the left side, they correctly are worn on the right side so the person shaking hands or greeting has easy eye contact with both the person and the badge as a way to help remember the name or to see where he/she is from, etc. This is the purpose of wearing the badges in the first place.
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Hi, cool post. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for writing.
I agree this is answer. It does make it easier to read when placed on the person’s right side. May I ask a further question? Which side do you wear brooches or decorative pins? Do you wear a flag or military pin differently?
Paragraph 8 j, Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1 of the Flag Code states “the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.”
Great reference. Thanks!
Here is the URL for the The American Legion flag code page: http://www.legion.org/national/americanflag/flagcode
Thank you Daniel! So many people forget that there is an easy to understand flag code that the Legion has put out.
I read the the flag pin should be on your right so when you shake someone hand it’s on their left. But I have always been told to wear it on the left.
I agree this is answer. It does make it easier to read when placed on the person’s right side. May I ask a further question? Which side do you wear brooches or decorative pins? Do you wear a flag or military pin differently?
NOBODY HAS ANSWERED THIS LADY i WANT TO KNOW ALSO!!!!!
Hi Tim. Sometimes a comment appears buried on a thread that is not so current and we don’t see it. It doesn’t happen too often but does occur and for this I apologize. I also want to mention that the use of all caps in email and comment threads is often interpreted as shouting. One way to read what you have written is as finishing with a scream demanding an answer. I am glad to answer but feel obliged to point out that all caps and exclamation points is a rude way to ask a question. I don’t think this is your intent so I mention it as something you might consider in the future.
Decorative pins and brooches can be worn where the wearer thinks they look best.
Flag pins are worn on the left, close to the heart.
I may be wrong, but I believe Tim was writing in capital letters on accident. Judging by the lower case I, it appears that they tried to “capitalize” the I, unaware that caps lock was on.
I was told in a seminar several years ago that you place your name tag on your left so that when you shake with your right hand, you slightly lean in the left shoulder so the name tag is read. Because the right hands are extended across the front of the body, the name tag is more visible on the left. When I shake a person hand, my eye does not follow up the shoulder of the hand extended.
I guess it all in how you were taught.
And, I suppose you believe everything you were “taught”… Apparently, you haven’t shaken many hands… Most people shaking hands lean in with their right sides putting the right side of their chests directly in the line of sight… It’s common sense, really. Do an experiment and see. When you shake hands with your right hand, the left side of your chest naturally turns away. This is not a complicated matter people…
Michael, you’re absolutely right…when shaking with the right hand, your right shoulder leans in……..it also “squeezes” the suit jacket, blouse, etc. you may be wearing, thus making the name tag obscured, while the left side lays smooth. That’s just personal experience……I don’t know a thing about etiquette
I would like to clarify in Asia, all schools, co employees, hospitality service staff right up to government officials and ministers wear the name tags on the left side of the chest. It is regarded wearing name tag on right is a sign of agony or during funerals.
I shake hands with 100s of ppl and we stand with both feet together facing the person we are meeting. Thilting body generally toward right is rude and u don’t show your sincerity. In the first place, should not. U show full attention with full body language. We don’t make conveniences and qualify the casual American/British daily lazy meet-greet language. Name tag is an honour and should be worn like the military protocol because our parents gave us names to live not to die
Aaron, you have made some excellent points. The practice of introductions in Asia is founded in honor and sincerity as you note, and there is no better way to convey this to someone than giving them your proper, undivided and most cordial attention. Everyone, no matter their country, should remember this. G&H
I’ve grown up in the Hospitality field and was always taught to wear name tags or badges on the left, so that the name tag isn’t obstructed by the right-hand shake. Being a woman, crossing my arm (not necessarily across the chest, but at any angle) I find that my right lapel is in fact obstructed. And yes Michael, I shake plenty of hands.
I found this interesting, and was surprised to learn I was wrong. Good to know.
On a name badge for a meeting, do you put the persons degree on the badge if they are anything other then a Medical Doctor (MD). Example: If the have a MS, PhD EdD, etc.?
Yes. Here at the university where I work, all of our name tags have our degrees (if they are more than a B.A/B.S.). Of course, if this is an informal meeting with first names only, then no degree designation would be necessary.
Just Laura, M.A.
Jane Doe, J.D.
John Smith, Ph.D.
Great article on name tags. Right is the correct place for the name badge. But the company I work at we have cash registers and in some case it depends which side the customer is walking up to our registers as to where we place our name badges. Sometimes it is easier to have a magnetic name tag that way you can take the name tag off and switch it to the other side if needed.
Does it really matter what side it’s on? Just stick it on your forehead, they’ll never forget your name then!
Huh? I’m right handed but I find it easier to put a badge on my right side!
I’ve always been told that name badges should be worn on left breast and are only displaced by medals? Does anyone know for definite as this appears to be a collection of opinions?
Yes in general name badges are worn on the left side. Displaced for medal or corsages or if a ladies attire prevents it. I always understood this to make life easier as if you are reaching out to shake hands you crumple a name badge if it is on the right side as one shakes with their right hand. However while shaking you can peek at a name badge and double check a name.
On left, in the deep south, as tradition would have it for many generations, and common sense
I am left handed and it’s much easier for me to put mine on left side.
That makes NO sense at ALL! You should NEVER shake hands with your left hand, regardless of if you are right or left handed AND, as a lefty, you should find it MUCH easier to put your name tag on the right side…Try it out one day…
When I went to the White House, the staff advisor told me that the name tag should be on the left so that when I reach my right arm out to shake the Presidents hand the name tag would not be skewed and easily readable.
That makes a lot of sense to me. The only rule I had heard so far about name tags is that they should be high , near the collar, so that people can read them quickly and pretend they remembered your name. And to prevent them from having to look at your chest to find it.
I rhink either way is acceptable but there are some reasons for the left side. When wearing a suit, you usually have a pocket name tag, so it can only go on the left because there is no pocket on the right. Second conpanies policy is to wear your name tag on the left over your heart because it represents a promise you on your name that you will take care of costomers. Latly when you day the pledge of allegence you put you hand over your heart the same place your name goes so its a symbol. Just my 2 cents.
If shaking hands with your right hand, a sticker name-tag could easily be crumpled as your arm brushes against the front of your chest in shaking hands.
Therefore, if you want your name tag to survive neat and intact throughout the networking event, you should wear it on your left side.
name tag on the right
fashion jewelry on the left
After over 25 years in the armed services ( Army ) I have always been told the name tag and other non official accoutrements are to be worn on the Right side to enable Medals,Awards and Decorations to be worn on the Left side.
There are some great points…and some that are almost comical. As for “common sense”, I’ll let you be the judge.
First, the correct way to wear a name tag in the United States is on the right side above the pocket. This eliminates the argument about “no right breast pocket” on suit jackets. Some have them and some don’t. If you’re wearing the suit correctly, then the handkerchief in your pocket will prevent the tag from lying correctly.
Secondly, look at every prelabeled uniform. The company name fills the left hand space. Putting a nametag on the left would either obscure the company name/logo or leave the right hand side bear while the left was over loaded with information. This isn’t just a company level process. The entire U S Military has the name on the right and the military insignia on the left.
Lastly, in deference to my friends from Asia. This has nothing to do with respect or a lack thereof. It’s a completely different culture and the meanings of our actions are interpreted differently.
Thank you. I feel better.
I was looking for a simple answer, now I’m even more confused. Maybe I’ll just slap the name tag in the middle .