Do Business pens really matter anymore?

[Waterman]

Hi everyone i'm still a teen so I would have no idea about this topic but I would really like to know something. When you're at a business meeting and everyone pulls out a pen whether it's a ballpoint, rollerball or fountain pen does it really matter what brand it is or is it alright to use those cheap looking executive pens you get from business promotions? And when I ask this I mean big meetings with the boss or someone up there who has the power to fire you.

[J English Smith]

In general, no one cares about pens but we pen nuts. Most business associates would only notice if your pen runs out of ink - if you're lucky! In my business (healthcare), most people are using drug company ballpoints, both the cheap kind and the nicer kind. So...don't worry...use what you like. My boss uses a Zebra ball point, for instance...

 

-A 25-year ad agency/corporate marketing guy

[ANM]

I'd say it is a double edged sword. My guess is that most people don't notice or care what you are using but some do and make judgments about you based on how you are dressed and what kind of stuff you carry and wear. They might form negative opinions about you if you are using a pen that is too big, to ostentatious, or more expensive than what they think is appropriate to your position in the company.

[Gepzo]

In my experience, bosses don't fire people because they use the wrong stationary products. We're there to do a job, and do it well, and if you happen to whip out a Montblanc and a Rhodia pad, it is no big deal. Now, if he's a fountain pen nut, and you are two, that may help you get an interpersonal relationship going, but it could backfire on you as well. If you're a young guy fresh out of school, and working your way up an organization, and make $50k a year, and you whip out a LE Montblanc, and start taking notes on your imported Italian leather padfolio, then you look fiscally irresponsible, even if it was a graduation gift.

 

It is far more important that you are there, paying attention, engaged, and know your stuff.

 

-George

 

PS: highest ranking executive at my workplace is fond of rollerballs, uses Retro 51's, and doesn't give a dang what anyone else uses to write with, wears to meetings, or drives.

[Waterman]

Alright that's good to hear thanks for your input.

 

Brad

[flea]

Not pen but the coolest PDA thingy, that's a different story.

[Sallent]

Most people at work don't notice, but occationally one does and that leads to some interesting conversations.

 

I like to have a nice "business" FP even if no one else notices, its all about how I feel. It makes me feel good to have a nice FP with my nice business suit. I feel missmatched wearing a $500 suit and a 25 cent bic. As for what anyone else thinks, i could care less.

 

Buy and use the pen because you like it, don't expect anyone else to notice or care!

[RLTodd]

I agree with the PDA as the impression maker.

 

Shows your on top of technology and working in the future.

 

Other than some niches, conspicuous consumption, especially if you show up the boss, can really give people the wrong impression.

[JFT]

The only times I had a boss commenting on my pen (in a way at least) was at my first job. I had been dreaming to get a Patrician throughout my years in university so once I landed that first job I quickly fulfilled that dream.

 

During a presentation given by the boss and owner of the startup, at some point he started to wave and make flourish displaying his pen while talking (to a point where I was wondering if did it on purpose to show off) Then all of a sudden he froze and look at my pen (I was taking note obviously). He looked at his pen then mine, his was an entry level Waterman, he looked at me then at my pen then at me again but no words.

 

One week later yet another presentation and he was back with a larger pen it was a 146 or 149 not sure which one but the white star was clearly visible :roflmho:

 

Bottom line I never had any issue with the job nor the boss and no words on fountain pen were ever exchanged... (but I'm still laughing to this day that he had to burn money...)

Edited June 27, 2008 by JFT

[Breck]

@JFT: That story is Awesome + Hilarious = Hilawesomeous, 100% Hilawesomeous.

[JeffTL]

I recall reading in an etiquette book that a pen and pencil "of excellent quality" are part of professional dress.

 

I think a nice Pelikan or Parker, of any age, should be fine for virtually all circumstances.

[richardandtracy]

I work in an engineering company. Pens are considered utterly irrelevant to the business and are ignored. The MD uses a Mont Blanc ball point, but it was a gift from his wife. Nobody else in the firm uses FP's and I'm considered a serious oddity for even considering a writing instrument for more than a few seconds (well, that and a long string of other reasons involving scrap materials, pallets, etc).

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

[YorkshireCaviar]

I have had really good comments about my cheap plastic Parker 45, and no-one notices my faceted Pilot Capless... But to answer the question, I always use a FP in any meeting. I am in the Army, and most officers I know seem to use a FP, even if it is just a disposable Pilot V pen.

[Beechwood]

I find that people notice my pen, and ask questions, and I notice others.

 

On the basis that first impressions count then what I write is as important as my suit, tie and the shine on my shoes.

 

And you can probably interpret that sentence as a postive or a negative.

[GeeTee]

PDA's are out...you need a smartphone to make a real impression these days...it really annoys me, all those people constantly checking their mail during a meeting.

[kubalai]

Q to Mr Blonde or anyone who can answer

 

I was in the British Army (Royal Engineers) as an officer. Also over here the officers also tend to use FP espicaly the more senior levels. Wonder if it is a military 'thing' or tradition ??

[richardandtracy]

PDA's are out...you need a smartphone to make a real impression these days...it really annoys me, all those people constantly checking their mail during a meeting.

Or they get mail and the wretched thing buzzes on the table - making the whole desktop into a sounding board. Discreet, it isn't.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

[Chris]

OK I am kind of keen on using a fountain pen , and really don't mind if others prefer ball points or PDAberry gadgets (though seeing everyone scramble under desks to get their laptops plugged in before (1) someone else picks all the sockets and (2) their battery goes flat makes me smile) but I am surprised when people who are in very senior positions write with chewed up old freebies.

 

I've been with this company for 12 years now and in that time I have seen more and more people using fountain pens at the meetings I attend - maybe they are "coming out" having seen me, blots, inky fingers, ink bottles and all :roflmho:

 

Some MBs, a few Watermans and a Pelikan or two, plus an old Parker and a Lamy Safari. We are getting there! Price range from low to high.

 

But in answer to the question, something understated but classic and of high quality (not necessarily expensive) is never a bad choice but if you are in a relatively junior position (meant kindly!), solid silver, or gold, or lapis lazuli and oversized might be considered a little ostentatious even if you had said to the boss it was a graduation present. Bear in mind that a good quality pen will last a lifetime whereas cheap rubbish will always disappoint, so don't be afraid to have a good quality pen used discretely.

 

But enjoy using your pen(s)

 

Chris

Edited June 27, 2008 by Chris

[ruud2904]

Q to Mr Blonde or anyone who can answer

 

I was in the British Army (Royal Engineers) as an officer. Also over here the officers also tend to use FP espicaly the more senior levels. Wonder if it is a military 'thing' or tradition ??

 

I am still in the Defence world, as a civilian engineer that is. I would not say the use of FPs is specific military thing. It is a common senior level thing. Seniors have the nicer things such as cars with drivers, offices, income that go with the position and responsability. Some have good taste in FPs. The majority use whatever is available to write with. But I can agree to what is said earlier: Pen lovers at least look at your pen and sometimes judge you partially by it.

 

[Methersgate14]

First, a word of warning. It may come to pass that one day you are signing a major contract at a formal signing ceremony; this is particularly likely if you are doing business in East Asia. Pulling out a cheap ballpoint will NOT do, here.

 

At the very grandest contract signings, pens of very high quality may be ordered and engraved for the occasion - should this be the case, be ABSOLUTELY SURE that you never lose the pen you walk away with, as your Japanese or Chinese counterpart, on meeting you again years later, is highly likely to pull his out and show it to you as a mark of respect - you had better be able to do the same. (He will, of course, have been reminded in advance, by one of his staffers, that he met you at the signing).

 

Now, a practical business pen story: I was evaluating bids by two Classification Societies for a new contract; one sent a very pretty and capable girl and the other sent an older man who pulled out a Parker 51 and made copious notes with it.

 

He probably would have got the contract anyway, due to greater organisational depth, but that FP certainly helped him.

Edited June 27, 2008 by Methersgate14