2006-08-29 07:15:38 · 37 answers · asked by jeff w 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It's TACKY. But no one will sentence you to death if you decide to do it anyway.
2006-08-29 07:17:16 · answer #1 · answered by Lunita del Sol 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is ok to pass out business cards at a child's birthday party...
What would be "bad etiquette"?
For the Tupperware lady to bring along the latest & greatest in storage containers to sit next to the birthday cake?
For the MaryKay lady to start putting mascara on all the parents?
For the Avon mom to squirt everyone with parfume?
For the Lawn Care dad to give samples of the latest weed & feed?
For the Accountant to show a list of all thier clients?
For the Day Care worker to pass out balloons with her phone number?
Humm....
Sounds like a pandora's box that shouldn't be opened...
Just take your child to the party & have fun!
2006-08-29 07:39:19 · answer #2 · answered by gurlyruby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally think this is incredibly tacky, unless someone would ask you for one for some reason. It kind of goes along the same lines as solicitation. I would not have been at all happy if you had done this at my child's birthday party! I would not want anyone to make my guests uncomfortable. You rdaughter would likely not be invited again just to save the hassle of dealing with you, the rude parent!
2006-08-30 04:44:15 · answer #3 · answered by alone1with3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really, people are there for the child's birthday, not a business opportunity. If someone asks, by all means, give them one, otherwise, find another way. And try not to talk about business, unless you are asked, or the parents are off by themselves, and want to talk about it, let them be the guide of what to do. I'ts rude and inappropriate to use a child as a business opportunity.
I know an insurance salesman who gives out magnets with his business logo at every opportunity. He brought them to the class reunion, no one else was promoting their work. It was a little pushy, but not too rude.
2006-08-29 07:22:29 · answer #4 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If done so tactfully and in the normal course of conversation. If you are using this social outing to network, then that is the wrong approach. I have an amazing long term client I actually met at a social activity of my son's. Make it to where they request a card from you---that way you never can go wrong. You would rather be recognized as a good parent in this situation rather than an opportunity hound---people want to deal with good parents in business and you can follow up naturally later.
2006-08-29 07:19:23 · answer #5 · answered by Missie D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a mother who's planned and paid for numerous birthday parties for my son - I would be outraged if someone did that at one of my son's parties. I think it's tacky to give out business cards even if I've paid for the event - but to use someone else's event (that they paid for and organized) to promote your own business is almost like stealing.
If you are talking with someone at the party, and the topic of what you do comes up and they ask for a card - that's a different story. But to go around handing them to all the guests or putting them in their goodie bags is tacky and reprehensible.
2006-08-29 07:22:22 · answer #6 · answered by Miss Lisa 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is OK to just pass them out uninvited. If you are talking with a parent about your new business or the profession you are in and that person expresses an interest you can say, "would you like my card." Other than that, I would not do it. I do not care when people do that to me.
2006-09-02 06:35:58 · answer #7 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's a good idea to do that. I think more people would be offended by it and be less likely to want to do business with you for that reason. The focus of the gathering is the child's birthday, so you might consider keeping business out of this occasion.
2006-08-31 18:38:59 · answer #8 · answered by curious me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ONLY if through the course of natural conversation someone ASKS YOU for your contact information -- you will do more to hurt your business prospects / reputation if you act tacky and hand out cards than if you find a classy way to handle the situation which is to plan to only hand out ONE card to some person that is genuinely interested in your service.
2006-08-29 08:06:48 · answer #9 · answered by Finnale 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd think it would be extremely tacky and probably wouldn't use your business. Unless your business was party supplies. Or unless a conversation leads to whatever your business is, then offer a card, but just don't go shoving them at people.
2006-08-29 07:20:20 · answer #10 · answered by Duende71 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's fine as long as you don't mind being "That creep at the birthday party".
Ever heard the term "Don't mix business with pleasure."?
2006-08-29 07:21:40 · answer #11 · answered by sam21462 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋