Take that ID strap off your neck
Jan 02, 2009
THERE was a time in our history when it was almost compulsory to have an identity card. One would not dare risk going to town without one lest the security services picked you up. And in that era, it was possible to get an identity card from just about ev
Etiquette - By Timothy Bukumunhe
THERE was a time in our history when it was almost compulsory to have an identity card. One would not dare risk going to town without one lest the security services picked you up. And in that era, it was possible to get an identity card from just about every street corner in town.
And even then, if you were out of work, all you had to do was visit any printers on Nasser Road and they would happily stamp your ID card but for a small fee. And then, the ID cards came in a booklet form, just big enough to fit into your shirt breast pocket.
Today, it is not a must that you parade an ID card whenever you go to town. The security situation is different. However, most companies have a policy requiring their employees to wear an ID card or have it visible the moment they step into work.
I believe it was MTN who started the trend of having ID cards that looped round one’s neck. It became a fashion accessory to have and the MTN boys milked every ounce out of it. Today just about every other man is walking round town with an ID card hanging from his neck. But it makes them look shabby.
While it may make you look shabby, there are ways round it. If you wear a tie with your shirt, loop the string of the ID card under your shirt collar just like you do with your tie.
Then the part of the string around your chest area, hide it behind the tie and have the ID card itself in you breast pocket if you have one.
If you do not have a breast pocket, then let the ID hang loose as long as you make sure it is behind your tie.
If you are not wearing a tie, then you have no option.
However, whenever you leave the office, remove your ID. Nobody is interested in knowing where you work.
THERE was a time in our history when it was almost compulsory to have an identity card. One would not dare risk going to town without one lest the security services picked you up. And in that era, it was possible to get an identity card from just about every street corner in town.
And even then, if you were out of work, all you had to do was visit any printers on Nasser Road and they would happily stamp your ID card but for a small fee. And then, the ID cards came in a booklet form, just big enough to fit into your shirt breast pocket.
Today, it is not a must that you parade an ID card whenever you go to town. The security situation is different. However, most companies have a policy requiring their employees to wear an ID card or have it visible the moment they step into work.
I believe it was MTN who started the trend of having ID cards that looped round one’s neck. It became a fashion accessory to have and the MTN boys milked every ounce out of it. Today just about every other man is walking round town with an ID card hanging from his neck. But it makes them look shabby.
While it may make you look shabby, there are ways round it. If you wear a tie with your shirt, loop the string of the ID card under your shirt collar just like you do with your tie.
Then the part of the string around your chest area, hide it behind the tie and have the ID card itself in you breast pocket if you have one.
If you do not have a breast pocket, then let the ID hang loose as long as you make sure it is behind your tie.
If you are not wearing a tie, then you have no option.
However, whenever you leave the office, remove your ID. Nobody is interested in knowing where you work.