Japanese business card exchange - Explain how this works and what it means?
Question:
Answer:
The person of lower rank presents their card to the person of higher rank first. Turn the card around so that the receiver can read it easily. Hold the card in both hands (grasping it w your thumbs) and bow towards the receiver as you offer your card.
When you take the other person's card, accept it with both hands, immediately look at it and read it to yourself. If you are at a meeting put it on the table in front of you. Do NOT put it away until after the person is out of sight, and do NOT "play" or fiddle w the card--for example, don't doodle on it, fold it, balance it against a pen, etc.
That's it, basically.
It is common courtesy in Japan to exchange calling cards. I worked there, and the first thing I did was have my calling cards made. One side English and the other side in Japanese. Usually you present your card with a slight bow to show respect to a Senior person either because of their age, or because they outrank you. I used to get embarrassed when fellow Americans would come to Japan and bow practically to the floor. Not necessary. The Japanese have the bow down to a science, so much of an inclination to Superiors, different for elders and family member s etc. It is a ritual that one learns from childhood on.
Status in business card exchange is interesting because I have never thought of it that way. As a foreigner you don't really need to get it all correct but it goes something like this.
1) If the person is high up their, face them.
2) turn your business card around offering it to the other person so they can read it with the print facing up. Youy should use both hands to hold you card.
3) Offer it to them with a slight movement of both hands up and down like a 1/2inch snap of the hands.
4) Accept their card at the same time.
You should be bowing the appropriate amount deppending on their status.
5) *** IMPORTANT *** Do not just accept their card and place it in a stack in your hand but LOOK AT it and READ IT right then.
6) Repeat their name outloud. Miyazaki-san.
Then say I am pleased to meet you or "Hajimemashte."
Business card is a mei-shi. They will translate as "name card" rather than business card.
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