The reason I’m thinking of leaning towards the calling card is that it will stand out and allow me to write hand written notes to contacts that I meet on the card.

What do you think?

Dave

That being said, I think it’s better to keep old traditions that still work and make sure that the old traditions we try to use (or bring back) will fit and work well in modern society.

Crossing out the name might be good etiquette to those in the know, but no one in modern society will get it. Instead, they’ll think you’re an idiot, or using someone else’s card (if they don’t know you, personally). The fact that you’re sending them a card with your name professionally printed on it is already sketchy enough.

Using them in place of a modern traditional greeting card will seem like laziness or “frugality” to many people. Tuck one inside a greeting or thank you card, instead. Alternately, purchase some tiny envelopes that fit the cards and use them in these situations. You can’t mail them, but it makes them more significant. Avoid making it look like you just wrote on whatever you had lying around.

Order your cards with a blank back on non-coated stock, so you can write a note on the back with any old pen. If you want glossy, consider a coating on the face only.

Depending on what else you use them for, consider ordering a standard business card size so you seem like a normal person. You know you’re not, but let them figure it out later.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Roland

better? :)

Yes, business card are for business. But by that same light, they are inappropriate for ‘personal’ use.

I’ve carried calling cards for almost ten years now. They’ve enabled me to score scads of favors and free tickets and hot-deals. They’ve gotten me special-interest information and hobby contacts.

And my-oh-my, have they *ever* been useful in getting me dates with some of the hottest women EVAR! (even one’s that might have first thought they were out-of-my-league — until I handed them my card, …. along with some sophisticated charm and banter, of course)

There is a certain ‘technique’ to using business cards well and wisely. (I’ve frankly, most often seen some really poor ways in which business persons use them.)

Likewise, there are techniques to the proper use of calling cards in interpersonal social interactions. Although a little archaic to the minds of many of we moderns, Brett has outlined a good place to start building those skills.

Calling cards are, at the very least, more manly than today’s ghastly habit of text-messaging

Perhaps I’ve picked up strange etiquette, but try a decline without a reason sometime. You may find it suits most situations nicely.