Name badges: Devices to confuse customers?

[truthless86]

(I was debating if this should go here or in the SC forum)
As I've wasted away into nothingness in the confines of the various stores I've worked at and collected name badges from over the last decade, one topic continuously comes back time and time again: there you are, pulling merchandise out of a large box and placing it on the shelf. Random customer (RC) walks up to you and asks (or yells from 50 feet away) "hey, do you work here?"
*looks down at that rectangular blue and white laminated thing with letters in the same order as my name and the company logo on it hanging from the lanyard around my neck*
Now, if I'm in a good mood, I'll grab hold of the name badge and hold it up and stare at it intently, saying something like "Yeah, I spend a few dozen hours a week here so I think that qualifies". But if I'm in a less-than-stellar mood I'll just nod and "mm-hmm" to the RC.
I could ALMOST understand this constant barrage of confusion if my apparel was different, but something about being dressed the same as every other hourly employee in the store tosses that thought out the window.
Anyway, this has led me to conduct an experiment of sorts over the last week or so at my job: I quit wearing my name badge while out on the sales floor. Believe it or not, the number of people asking "Do you work here?" has dropped significantly (by about half) since I began doing this!
This leads me to wonder, what is it about wearing a name badge that makes people wonder if you work in said store? The logic escapes me

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I am currently without a name tag because it broked and mymanager hasn't made me a new one yet.

Still get bothered for help because I have to wear a company-issued shirt with the store name on the sleeve. Also it's very distinctively baby-poop green. A color nobody wears willingly.

If I had my way, my name tag would read "Penis McPornstar" or some such. Or "I don't get paid, I don't get laid, but boy do I work hard." But that's too long to fit on a name tag.

[dalesys]

...If I had my way, my name tag would read...

PAID
LAID
WORKS, HARD

[Android Kaeli]

I did not wear my name tag for a good two and a half years, no one in management noticed until we got a new ASM. Second week new Boss Lady was in? "Where's your name tag?" 'Wow, you're the first manager in almost three years to notice.'

I still, to this day, do not wear a name tag but I have a good excuse: mine broke and we don't have any more in.

[XCashier]

one topic continuously comes back time and time again: there you are, pulling merchandise out of a large box and placing it on the shelf. Random customer (RC) walks up to you and asks (or yells from 50 feet away) "hey, do you work here?"
*looks down at that rectangular blue and white laminated thing with letters in the same order as my name and the company logo on it hanging from the lanyard around my neck*

I did the same thing the other day! I'm wearing store uniform, including an apron (who wears aprons as part of their everyday wardrobe? That should be a big clue right there!) and nametag, putting stock away, and a customer asks me, "Do you work here?"

I made a big comic show of a "hmm" expression, then staring intently at my nametag before answering in the affirmative. Fortunately, the customer had a sense of humor.

[Raveni]

I usually pretend that no one has every asked me before. Usually make such a show of it that they think it is humorous and they are special until after you leave and they realize that I'm implying that no one else was dumb enough to ask me before.

Last week, someone stopped me while I was driving around in a car covered with advertising for my company. They asked me if I worked for that company, and I kinda just stared back opened mouth, since I hadn't been asked since leaving retail. I kinda motioned toward all the advertising and he said, "well, anyone can get that done to their car". Really? Who is going to pay to put that kind of stuff on their car if they don't even work for the company? And if it is you, please advertise for me!

[EricKei]

Really? Who is going to pay to put that kind of stuff on their car if they don't even work for the company? And if it is you, please advertise for me!

I have seen civilian cars with the car company logos present large and in charge on the sides...It's kinda like wearing shirts with huge Coke or brand name designer/store logos -- those outfits should cost LESS than unmarked/small logo gear, or even be free, rather than more, IMHO. It's free advertising!

[mikoyan29]

Do you work here?
Not if I can help it...

[teh_blumchenkinder]

I keep thinking that this is a phenomenon because the individual can't think of a better way to say "excuse me, sales associate?" and/or are afraid to use honorifics like 'miss, ma'am, sir' because it offends so many people... oy. As long as they don't call me boy. /not male.

[Pojodan]

A number of years ago I would always shop at the same grochery store at least once a week.

For reasons I never figured out, about once a month, sometimes more, I'd get mistaken for a store employee and asked questions about the location of XYZ out of the blue.

1) None of my clothes are similar to the store's uniform
2) Sometimes I'd be wearing m 'lazy' clothes, and was obviously not on the job anywhere
3) I -did- work at a grochery store once, but that was many years prior and in a different state

I'd always say 'Well, I don't work here' then, if I did know where it was, point them in the right direction, or just shrug and say sorry.

Only once did the person react poorly and I just pointed them to the front desk and hastily walked away, pushing my cart of bachelor chow.

[Moirae]

Unfortunately, not all companies have uniforms for their employees that are instantly recognizable. I've seen ones that look like a regular black t-shirt from the back or side, and with black pants or jeans. If the employee isn't facing you, how are you supposed to know whether they work there or not?

But yes, I agree with you. If someone is intelligent, they will know better if you're in uniform.