Lanyard Etiquite

[PinCollector]

Ok, when I first started collecting (a few weeks ago) a read a booklet that said the rules to trading. Basically, all I read was that a CM has to trade with you as long as you trade him/her something that they don't already have. They have to give you whatever you want (with the exeption of the pins they are not allowed to trade). Anyway, that was all.
On my last day at DisneyW, someone told me that you can't wear a pin on your lanyard unless you want to trade it. Like, once you trade for a pin you wanted, you can't wear it around. What's the deal? She told me that some grown fella got mad at her kid 'cause she was wear a pin that "she just wanted to wear because she liked it". Is this a new rule? If I want to wear pins around WDW and don't want to trade certain pins am I a bad guy? She also told me that if you wear the pins high, then they are pins you dont want to trade. Is this a bunch of technicalites? Pin trading is supposed to get the CM's and guest to converse, not badger each other. Right?

Looking for the rulebook,
PinCollector

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

That "some grown fella" sounds like a jerk to me. And that's the nicest thing I can say about him.

There are NO rules anywhere regarding the pins that guests wish to wear on their lanyards. CMs are the only ones who have rules about trading. You can wear pins that you wish to trade with CMs, pin you wish to trade with guests, or pins you have no desire to trade.

Everyone's different, and what you wear on your lanyard and if it's available for trade is totally up to you. I usually wear CM traders and will wear the pins I have traded. If someone sees a pin on my lanyard that's not a trader, I politely tell them I just traded for that one or it's not for trade. If you want to wear pins and not trade a single one, go right ahead!

 

[Eeyore1954]

Listen to Obi-Wan -- the Pin Force is very strong with this one!!

I totally agree with Obi-Wan -- wear whatever you want on your lanyard. I do it all the time. I wear pins that are just for show and some I am willing to trade.

If someone asks to trade and you don't want to, just say so. I've encountered only one or two people who were a little too insistent about trading. Walking away helps, but if you need to grab any nearby CM and ask them for help. (I had to do this only one time in about 4 years of pin tradining at the parks.)

Pins are meant to be enjoyed. I like to check other people's lanyards out; see what they like to collect, talk about pins, etc. I'd say that 99 44/100ths% of the pin people are nice, courteous and fun to be around.

Have a great time on your trip! And be careful of the pin-buying bug!

 

[doombuggy]

When a CM is working, they are given a laynard to wear, in case a guest wants to trade with them. While I collect all kinds of pins, I don't usually wear them. When i was at WDW last fall, I did wear my laynard that is full of pins that I would be willing to trade. I had one CM at MGM make a bee-line for me for trading, but other than that, nothing. There are probaly more CM's down there that are not into the pins than are. Most importanly, enjoy your trip, and wear your pins w/pride!

PS: I agree with eeyore1954-pin buying can get out of hand if you are not careful!