Fourteen years + four full-time jobs + seven years of freelance + umpteen designations = Twelve different sets of visiting cards, each bunch as big as a sengal.
The first ever visiting card I had with my name and the designation 'Production assistant' left me ultra thrilled. I was distributing it to all and sundry that mummy-gaaru thought I'd give one each to all those vettalappakku mamis during Navarathri. A redesignation in exactly six months and I had one box full of 'Production assistant' cards left unused. A year later after having distributed ten-eleven cards to junta around, I moved on...to a new job.
Yet another set of new cards in the new company. Within a month, the company underwent a makeover, so new cards with the new name (of the company). In a year, we had a new logo, so new cards again! And these cards were very well 'used'. With extensive shoots all over India, the ettupatti panchayattus, Kollywood- Bollywood gumbal were compulsorily given one card each only to see their "Wow, nice card!" reactions. Cheap thrills.
New job again. New card. Didn't use it much 'coz it was tata-bye bye in 7 months. Then came the seven year hits! Seven wonderful years of freelance-o-freelance. Seven years and like a typical bachelor-ini in Mumbai, moved from one house to another every eleven months. Every move, one new visiting card and each of these was a bare minimum of 100 visiting cards. Five cards for freelancer's sake. The company which engaged my services during this time, gave me a card that read 'Creative consultant'. It was too hep for me to say No. So, one more set of cards to the kitty.
Finally happy with sondha veedu and all and I thought I'd never have to make new cards with new addresses. But Vidhi had other plans (Wow, what a dialogue I say!)
I joined this company am working with right now, a few years ago. When I had joined, I was a part of 'Corporate Programming'. One bunch of visiting cards landed up within ten days of my appointment. Suddenly they decided to give it a creative name, literally... 'Creative services' .So new cards in six months.
Last week, when the promotion + redesignation letter reached me, I was konjam upset...I have to make yet another set of visiting cards.
Over the years, every time I discard the old ones, one senti feeling comes. What do you do with the old bunch of cards? Donate to the soda-butti GRE, CAT exam types who may want to use it as flash cards? Or use the other side to write "Happy Gruhapravesham! Best wishes......" instead of Green-blue-red-yellow roja flowered gifts tags on jagajakka gift wrappers? Visiting cards are too small for the blank side to be used for pictionary sessions, so out of the question there.
Whatever happens to the old ones?
The first ever visiting card I had with my name and the designation 'Production assistant' left me ultra thrilled. I was distributing it to all and sundry that mummy-gaaru thought I'd give one each to all those vettalappakku mamis during Navarathri. A redesignation in exactly six months and I had one box full of 'Production assistant' cards left unused. A year later after having distributed ten-eleven cards to junta around, I moved on...to a new job.
Yet another set of new cards in the new company. Within a month, the company underwent a makeover, so new cards with the new name (of the company). In a year, we had a new logo, so new cards again! And these cards were very well 'used'. With extensive shoots all over India, the ettupatti panchayattus, Kollywood- Bollywood gumbal were compulsorily given one card each only to see their "Wow, nice card!" reactions. Cheap thrills.
New job again. New card. Didn't use it much 'coz it was tata-bye bye in 7 months. Then came the seven year hits! Seven wonderful years of freelance-o-freelance. Seven years and like a typical bachelor-ini in Mumbai, moved from one house to another every eleven months. Every move, one new visiting card and each of these was a bare minimum of 100 visiting cards. Five cards for freelancer's sake. The company which engaged my services during this time, gave me a card that read 'Creative consultant'. It was too hep for me to say No. So, one more set of cards to the kitty.
Finally happy with sondha veedu and all and I thought I'd never have to make new cards with new addresses. But Vidhi had other plans (Wow, what a dialogue I say!)
I joined this company am working with right now, a few years ago. When I had joined, I was a part of 'Corporate Programming'. One bunch of visiting cards landed up within ten days of my appointment. Suddenly they decided to give it a creative name, literally... 'Creative services' .So new cards in six months.
Last week, when the promotion + redesignation letter reached me, I was konjam upset...I have to make yet another set of visiting cards.
Over the years, every time I discard the old ones, one senti feeling comes. What do you do with the old bunch of cards? Donate to the soda-butti GRE, CAT exam types who may want to use it as flash cards? Or use the other side to write "Happy Gruhapravesham! Best wishes......" instead of Green-blue-red-yellow roja flowered gifts tags on jagajakka gift wrappers? Visiting cards are too small for the blank side to be used for pictionary sessions, so out of the question there.
Whatever happens to the old ones?
(Pic : The pugazh and pe(ya)r I sambadichifyed diffused deliberately)
Perhaps play Mangattha or something with the old cards? Oru kai paakalama? Bring your cards, I say!
18 Responses:
what do i do with your old card you gave me? can i exchange for a new one?? actually using other side is good idea, or put it together like a collage and use as coasters. enna solra?
http://www.zeta.net/blog/2008/11/2400-business-cards-no-glue-and-a-lunchtime-or-two/
Burn them I say...but save a couple of each and then on Bogi day throw them into the flames. Jokes apart, I don't really know what to do with those, but all your job titles sound very impressive. Wait a min! Was this the whole point of this blog? Peethufying????? Huh huh?????
True, paper waste...wish old cards could b recycled..
We use them to write out lists of things to be bought on daily basis, like coconut, bread etc.,so that they have at least some use before turning into waste. Still they last for years! Eight years after my husband's VRS we are still using them, not having the heart to toss them in the garbage.
On it, we make a list of "things to buy" when going to a supermarket / Costco etc.,
Adhey dhan en ideavum- make lists - to do, shopping, whatever.
And you could also use them as bookmarks
visiting card culture has gone long back. currently only twitter, skype, linkedin culture.
are you still in visiting card age...
@Shobana - I have the same feeling too!
Blogeswari akka is all out to instil some J thought into us, me thinks. All fancy posh job titles, hmmph. Periya aal neenga.
Hhmm, Even I got thrilled to see my first (company provided) business card.
If you want, Sontha kasula card adichukoo!nu Present company told strictly. So,me the kapchip. :))
you should play UNO with them!
Looking at that long career record, I'm already wondering whether I should say Blogeswari Akka or Blogeswari Aunty ;) Ayo glare panadhinge..
Anyways new here, n do not have any creative answers. But romba nalla writing :)
Some tips from my retired mother (25 yrs SBI service with visiting card issues every 3-4 yrs transfer) -use it instead of spoon when you make bhel at home or even for chiwda etc... (of course these days paper cards are not in fashion)...
Never knew that you have such a peculiar hobby ;))) I did not mean the job hops though, I meant the visiting cards collecting stuff :). I am not so fortunate in that aspect 12+ years and just 1 company for 11 yrs and currently with my 2nd one. But as a food for thought, what did you plan to do with those balance useless visiting cards ?
wonderful article - never thought a 'small' vishayam like this can be made into such a wonderful article - Congrats :)
- N. Chokkan,
Bengalooru.
I keep collecting my old business cards, one day I will tell my autobio in 30 business cards.
i am loving it!
now i came to know how creative u rrrr. just 1 matter visiting card, here is ur creativity comes and writing ur work life in a page with kindals and nakkals!!!!
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