Calling Cards/Visiting Cards

Originally Posted by maxnharry

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Photo please?

Heh, would love to, but the emblem is too distinctive, and my name, nor any part of it, has ever appeared on SF. Neither has my face (well that's debateable). I'm wierd like that.

Regards,
Huntsman

Originally Posted by minimal

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Yes, it's pretentious. Yes, it may impress the girl you chat up at the bar. These two things are far from mutually exclusive.

We all wish for the old days, when such elegances were common enough that it would not look like one was trying too hard, but those days are gone. If I were to introduce you to the only two people I've ever known who carried calling cards, you would swear off them so fast this thread would vanish in sympathy.

The underlying problem, metaphorically, is that when you rent the building, carrying a calling card is clearly "striving", and when you own the building there's no point to it as everyone knows who you are.

Nicely said.

Hi Huntsman,

How do you have an emblem? Is it your family crest or something?

Originally Posted by Stax

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I thought calling cards were meant not to be given to the person with whom you wished to communicate, but, rather, a thrid party, for delivery to the intended party (butler, doorman, etc.).


That is correct.

Today some people have personal cards, just name and number (no address) and use them for social (non-business) occasions. Back when voice mail was popular in the early- mid-90's I knew a few people who had cards with a voice mail number on it, that way they could allow some one they just meet a way to contact them, but still keep a little distance before giving them their actual number. Now that I think of it, all the people I know who used them were women.

I use business cards with just my name on them rather than a full-blown calling card (which is technically a larger size I think).

My reasons are entirely practical - like most people here, I'm sure, I have several numbers (private, home, mobile, secretary, work direct line, email work, email personal, etc, etc). and don't want everyone who needs A number for me to have ALL my numbers.

So I carry business cards with just my name and write the relevant number on the back at the time of giving. It also adds a nice personal touch, I think. So maybe my reasons are not entirely practical....

I can understand the arguments that calling cards can be pretentious however, there are many occasions, when asked for my card that I would prefer a calling card to my business card. I find a similar pretension to handing out a business card with an embossed business logo and title. It can also be inconvenient trying to scribble personal information on to the back on one's business card.

Like so many of the topics we discuss, what is apropriate will be defined primarily by context.

I carry blank cards, the same size as my business cards. The blank cards are available, should I want to make a personal connection, using my own hand.

Originally Posted by nelly

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I was wondering if anyone uses visiting cards instead of OR along with business cards. A calling/visiting card is like a business card but only has your name on it.

If you remember from Ocean's 11, George Clooney drops one to Matt Damon. Anyway, I thought it was bad-ass and want to order some. My thinking is that it is far more casual and refined to give during social occasions compared with business cards... and the ladies would totally go for it.

Any thoughts?

Crane makes these...
My thinking is that it is far more casual and refined to give during social occasions compared with business cards...

agreed

http://www.crane.com/navSubDepartmen...edCallingCards

Originally Posted by Huntsman

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I carry calling cards with a blind embossed emblem and engraved text. Always are positive comments received. I have only recently gotten these, but I fully expect them to be ideal for passing to eligible females.

Regards,
Huntsman

And I think it also sets you apart from the pack - how many other men carry calling cards? I don't think I have even received one myself...

Originally Posted by nelly

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I just don't understand why George Clooney/Daniel Ocean would steer me wrong. It generally seems that people drool over the style in the Oceans movie.

And the problem with business cards is that work is not who I think I am- I work to live not the other way around. Frankly, I don't think people should care whether I'm from Goldman Sachs or Kenny's Fried Chicken.

Is there really anything wrong with me pulling out a calling card, writing my number on the back with a fountain pen and handing it to a woman I just chatted up at a bar?

Nope... non at all. And you would properly be the first person who gave her a calling card... (although I would try and get her number as well LOL).

I personally agree people will sterotype you based on your job and I honestly don't want someone I just met knowing what I do / don't do and how much money I do / do not make.

Is your fountain pen filled from an inkwell or cartridges? Any suggestion on where to get a decent but not real fancy pen that doesn't leak?

Thanks!

Todd

Originally Posted by robin

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Yes. What's wrong is that you had to get her number, not give her your number. I suppose that's a topic for another thread though.

Agree but giving her back your number (once you get her's) has another benefit - it gauges her interest. If she takes the initiative and calls you before you call her.... got a live one.

Originally Posted by Ivan Kipling

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I carry blank cards, the same size as my business cards. The blank cards are available, should I want to make a personal connection, using my own hand.

Wow, and there I was bashing the idea, and you come up with this. Very smart, in all senses of the word.

OK, but for any *other* implementation of the idea, my "IMHO post" still stands...

Sometimes I just hand over the blank card, and let the recipient, fill out whatever he or she wants to keep, for posterity. Slightly perverse. Not that I would know anything, about that.

I think the idea of a calling card is excellent. Your impression will be at an appropriate level if in the company of mixed professionals without the attempt to network professionally.

A napkin would always work for a woman you do not intend to build a relationship. *cough*

Originally Posted by nelly

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Hi Huntsman,

How do you have an emblem? Is it your family crest or something?

Oh, nothing of the sort. How is that I started drawing it when I was ten or somesuch and, though an artist I am not, if you work on something for better than ten years, on and off, you can create something worthwhile.

What I like about it is that it incorporates a surprising number of aspects of my character, which really didn't change all that much. Yet it will not seriously be construed as an heraldic emblem.

That's about it, really.

Regards,
Huntsman