Of course, you are not expected to understand the smallest details and peculiarities of the meishi-exchange, there are several key principals and rules you should know if you are going to set up business in Japan or with a Japanese corporation:

• Have a great amount of cards with you: not carrying a card will greatly damage any business dealings you are trying to develop and it may be compared with rejecting to shake hands (in the West).

• Offer your business card with Japanese side up, so that the receiver might read it.

• Offer your business card with a businesslike, rapid bow.

• Handle all cards you get with esteem: bear in mind, it symbolizes the owner’s personality, so you shouldn’t simply put it in your pocket, but read it attentively. In addition, avoid jotting down on the card or marking it anyhow in the holder’s presence.

• Examine both sides of the meishi as it’s presented to you. In Japan, business people dealing with global market will usually have cards in two languages: Japanese on one side and English on the other.

• When being offered a meishi, read the English side initially and then take a look at the other one: a foreigner who is noticed examining the Japanese side will be provided with supplementary inscriptions for attempt and politeness.

• In case you are from a company attempting to sell something, it is recommended to present your card first and after that get the meishi of the possible purchaser.

• Make use of both hands when getting a business card, but only one when offering your own one.

• All the time treat cards very cautiously and honorably for the reason that they represent people who offered them. You shouldn’t play with a meishi given or make some notes on it.