The exchange of meishi, Japanese business cards, is a plain procedure in which a person gives a little rectangular piece of paper with the owner’s name and company on it. It seems very simple, but deceivingly so.  In Japan, the ceremonies of correct giving of the meishi may either assist in creating respect for the holder and his or her company, or vise versa.
If you respect me, respect my meishi. Japanese business card is considered to be an absolute business icon. For the reason that they carry the name of the person giving it, it allows the receiver to realize relations of everybody to the group, how every person should be addressed and which honorifics and speech manners to choose.
Any of these aspects is important to promote the proper business conduct and produce the atmosphere of common understanding. However, meishi means much more.
Actually, to the Japanese, this plain piece of paper is a real representation of the individual giving it. Handled with respect, it represents esteem both to that individual and to his or her company, at the same time sticking the rules of etiquette. Slapdash treating of a meishi at the first meeting may prejudice against somebody from the very start.
The Rituals of Exchange
Japanese people say that if you cannot speak to somebody appropriately, you cannot become a fine worker, as any business starts with the greeting. Prior to offering the meishi, the holder should make certain that it is clean and tidy. You should not keep it in any pocket where it may get warm.
Maybe, it seems very queer, but offering a warm meishi is extremely impolite. It is necessary to keep business cards in a special leather business card holder. In order to be really polite, you should apply your both hands, holding the card at chest level, with the thumb and forefinger of every hand holding the card corner, and being certain that the name is turned to the receiver. As a rule, the Japanese repeat their name when presenting the business card.
After you have got the meishi, it is necessary to carefully read it.
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