Do you scribble your signature in a pad at the pen shop whenever
By Bala
@balasri (26537)
India
19 responses
@gloamglozer (1289)
• Australia
29 Nov 09
To be honest, I've really tested pens by signing my name. I just do some scribbles or write the words "testing" and then inspect how smooth the ink from the pen is on the paper. A lot of times the ball on the end seems not to be fully covered in ink and the line I draw is like not fully a solid line but with some parts without ink where the ball rolls over. Of course, this is only for ballpoint pens and for the ones that are fielt (I think that's how you spell it) pens. I prefer ballpoint pens even though they screw up more often than fielt tip pens as the fielt pens' ink often goes through the page.
2 people like this
@rakhii (1302)
• India
26 Nov 09
gud discussion.
but i am not the one who scribble my name while testing a pen in the store n frankly speaking, these days I dont buy pens at all, so i much safer than ppl who buy pen at store.
its my husband who buys pen for me and he is very cautious of all that stuff....
so i and my family, both r safe :0
2 people like this
@riyasam (16556)
• India
23 Nov 09
i used to do it before but then like you i thought that it may not be safe,so now i just write down the name of our country or city.i think that is more safe than leaving our signatures which may land up in the hands of crooked people...
@balasri (26537)
• India
24 Nov 09
Yes I have observed this habit in many people.Youngsters tend to do it without fail.May be this habit gets stuck to them as they grow old too.We can do something about the next time we buy a pen.We can test the new pen by writing 'Putting your signature is not advisable as someone with dirty mind may misuse it'.Swell idea.Is it not so?![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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1 person likes this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
23 Nov 09
hi bala,
That is one thing I would never do, I would scribble but never my sign my name on anything in public as it can be copied, people are taking big risk there.
Tamara
@borhan (1338)
• United States
23 Nov 09
I dont do that. I saw some people doing that. You what i do with a new pen at shop. i ask for a paper for testing the pen, then by next 20-30 seconds i draw a cartoon figure. It always makes the seller smile. Then after buying that pen, i just gift that drawing to the person who sold that to me.
It is not safe to put a signature in this mode.
Have a great day.
@nsep414 (23)
• United States
23 Nov 09
Never! I never leave a signature. I always write a few things from my shopping list or sign something silly like Mickey Mouse or Willie Wonka. I know a friend who was a victim of identity theft and that is one of the things that all the experts told her to never ever do.
2 people like this
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
23 Nov 09
I do test pens, but I have never used my signature to do that. I write down a common sentence, like: "How are you doing? I'm doing fine." It might look ridiculous, but I wouldn't feel safe writing down my signature in a common place like that. With modern technology evolving quickly, who knows what someone might do with it.
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
24 Nov 09
Hi balasri, I will scribble the certain chinese words, that I'm used to write when doing nothing, on the provided pad available there randomly. This is to make sure that I won't purchase any pen which can't serve its purpose well. These few words contain different writing strokes so that I can test whether its penpoint as well as the ink discharge met the requirement
However thanks for starting this good discussion to raise the level of alertness not to leave any important signature in the public. Yeah, there might be people who have malicious intent lurking around to take advantage from us. Therefore it's wise not to leave our important signature, especial the one related to bank account in the public
Happy posting ![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
23 Nov 09
Heya Bala! Statistically, the most common thing people write is of course their name! I don't recall exactly where I read that, but I do remember the reference. Personally I don't see any issue with signing my name somewhere like on a test pad, because unless someone is specifically stalking me to secure such a thing; it would be too random for anyone to gain anything from it.
1 person likes this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
23 Nov 09
Hi Bala,
I never put my original signature even for receiving a courier and putting the same only for bank transactions or the work they need the original one. Then how can I scribble my signature infront of strangers or for unnecessary. I may check the pen by drawing some lines not putting my signature.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Nov 09
balasri nope as I buy my pens at places like Walmart and theres no place there to test a pen although that might be an excellent
idea. but these pens are not the expensive ones most pen shops would sell as I am not an expensive woman with a lot of money to spend for a pen either.but I would leave my signature no place now days as I would not want someone to try to copy my handwriting.![](/Content/images/emotes/angry.gif)
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2 people like this
@bjcyrix (6901)
• Philippines
23 Nov 09
Nope, Im too cautious about signatures. Its like I feel that my signature should only be used for legal or important documents. When I do need to doodle something, I draw cartoon figures or just some random words. Whenever buying a new pen, just a short line is enough for me but to make sure that the ink runs well I make long lines. Sometimes I make lots of squiggly lines on the scratch paper given to me. If Im still not satisfied then I make circles or loops. If there's a chance that Im still doubtful about the pen, I just pick a new one, and do it all over again.
I think it would be safe to leave one's signature in a place like that, only if the signature that we write is different from the signature that we use for legal things like in our bank accounts, official contracts, etc. One can never be too careful in everything. So its best to exercise precaution whenever necessary. I only have one signature but the thing is, my penmanship is soo bad that even with one signature, it sometimes looks like hundred different ones.
I almost got in trouble withdrawing funds with that. The temp doubted that I signed that. Good thing the supervisor she asked a second opinion on knew me as a regular.![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@balasri (26537)
• India
24 Nov 09
Wow.I think that your doodles,cartoons,random words.short and long lines,squiggly lines,circles and loops are substance enough for an art exhibition.
And the shop keeper must be one hell of a patient and good guy while you are taking your time to play with the pen you have selected with the aid of your brain storms.
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@bjcyrix (6901)
• Philippines
1 Dec 09
An art gallery.. why hadnt I thought of that before!
I just might save those papers that the shop clerks would give me, compile them, and present it at an art exhibition. Or maybe I could make a coffee table book with it.
I guess I can give the shop clerks the first look, just to say thank you for their patience.
What do you think? A brilliant idea(inspired by you), or what?![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
23 Nov 09
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2 people like this
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
23 Nov 09
I've noticed that as well and have often wondered why people do it. I think it's unsafe to test a pen using your signature.
Me- I scribble a bit ,write a few alphabets and then decide. Actually even if i did write something people would find it difficult to read. I do myself at times.![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 09
You don't really think of it this way do you, or certainly you never used to but that was in the good old days, now in turbulent, mistrustful times you have to be so damn careful, is it any wonder most of us have a touch of paranoia in us? You hear of so many crimes involving identity theft etc, that scribbling your signature is certainly NOT a good idea not unless you want to leave yourself wide open for theft! It's not often I buy pens to be honest as my dad used to bring them home from the office! But occasionally when I did the type of pens I use came in packaging rather than buying them singularly. But going back years now as a teenager when I bought single pens for college etc yes I would always test them first but no I would never actually sign my name on a pad! I am surprised people actually do this my friend????
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
29 Nov 09
I would never put my signature on a sample pad. I usually end up writing a message in another language, and not signing it. LOL Or I'll just doodle something, or make a few lines. The point is to make sure the pen works, not to let people know that I was there. LOL A good question.
@dpk262006 (58677)
• Delhi, India
23 Nov 09
Hi Bala!
Very pertinent observation.
. When I buy a new pen and if I need to test it, I normally scribble it on a paper, however, I remain conscious and do not scribble my signature. Some of the people scribble their signatures inadvertently and this may be a risky affair.
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@balasri (26537)
• India
23 Nov 09
I have observed this tendency with many adults.People like to see and wallow in the pride of seeing their pictures and signatures or anything concerned about themselves.
I can understand this tendency in kids.But I think the adults must be very careful in using their signatures.![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@ckyera (17331)
• Philippines
23 Nov 09
hello balasri!
nope! im not doing that! hehe when i'm buying a pen, yes i try it but i don't use my signature...i just draw some lines... and that's how i test my new pen...
maybe you can also write your name but not the signature that you are using in signing in important documents...hehe its better to be safe than sorry...![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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