ASK THE ETIQUETTE DOCTOR
think of a way to help her say your name correctly. Does your name rhyme with something familiar or is it the opposite of something else? For example, I met a nurse whose last name was "Mallon." She said her manager was always mispronouncing her name as "Mal-lone" with a long "o." This finally stopped when she told her that "Mallon" was pronounced like "gallon," as in a "gallon of milk." As another example, I tell people that my last name of "Pagana" should be pronounced similarly to "banana."
DEAR KATHY:
Based upon patient feedback, our unit is finally getting name tags for our staff. Is there a proper placement for a name tag?
— NAMELESS IN NASHVILLE
DEAR NAMELESS:
Yes. The name tag should be placed on the right side of the chest so it can be easily seen when shaking hands. When you shake hands, your right shoulder is thrust forward right into the eye line of the other person. By the way, if you're wearing a name tag on a lanyard, adjust the length of the string so the name tag is positioned at the upper part of your chest. It is awkward for patients and others to move their eyes from your face down your body to the navel area to read your name tag. OSM
Dr. Pagana (kathy@kathleenpagana.com) is the author of more than 25 etiquette articles and the only etiquette book geared to healthcare professionals: "The Nurse's Etiquette Advantage: How Professional Etiquette Can Advance Your Nursing Career," available at kathleenpagana.com.
TABLE MANNERS Your fork goes on the left, knife on the right.
