A friend of mine carries a set of personal cards. Written right under his name, instead of a job title, he’s put the words “Amateur Human”.
He gets a chuckle out of the double-take people do when they get to the part with his title. The funny part is, it’s probably the best description of him I’ve ever seen.
Exactly. I have business cards, but for personal contact info, I use a “calling card” with my name, home phone and personal email address.
Mitch Hedberg
Potential Free Lunch Winner
I’ve used cards like this for a long time. I find it pretentious to hand out my business card to social contacts. Seems weird to me. And I like designing my own cards, so I do them myself. I wouldn’t think it’s weird being given one; it’s easier than digging out a pen and piece of paper (which I rarely have on me) to write down someone’s contact info. If more people had prepared cards ready, it would make things a lot easier.
I met a State Governor 20 years ago on a trade mission to Taiwan. He had both personal business cards as well as the Governor. I don’t even remember his name but I think it was S. Dakota. Since I was born in Rapid City, we shot the breeze for a few minutes. I gave him my card and for some reason he gave back his personal card. I lost it.
Many big executives have their own personal card. i’ve seen the personal card of Carlos Ghosen, CEO of Renault/Nissan.
I’ve got some. I just used an online template and blank cards. I’ve passed out a few to people who want my personal contact information.
Robin
Definately go for it.
One of the classiest cards in my collection of contacts is from an adorable woman whose card simply has her full name with her phone number underneath. Nothing else.
Meanwhile, the card I most aspire to is the one described in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” It can’t be beat for its understated sophistication.
“Rather Cartier-formal, it read: Miss Holiday Golightly; and, underneath, in the corner, Traveling. It nagged me like a tune: Miss Holiday Golightly, Traveling.”
I think calling cards are great.
And the Holly Golightly thing reminded me of something. When we checked in to our hotel in NYC this Xmas, we were each given a card that had the hotel information & logo on it, plus our name and “In Residence” below it. It was very cool! I still have it.
5 star hotels do cool shit like that. My kids loved it, it made them feel very grown-up!