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…
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.