2012年10月28日 16:35
Japanese business cards.
As part of my job at Tondaya, I attended a couple of meetings within the Kyoto tourism industry. Naturally, I was presented with a business card (meishi) every time I was introduced to someone.
In Japan, the simple act of exchanging business cards becomes a whole ritual. Rather than being just a convenient way to remember a person's name, position and contact details, the cards themselves are being treated with the same level of respect as one would show their owners.
The self-introduction is followed by a bow and the expression "Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu." (This roughly translates to "Please treat me kindly."; the approximate English equivalent would be "Pleased to meet you.".) A card is to be offered, received and held with both hands at all times. One should carefully examine the card they are presented, in order to remember the other person's name and treat them according to their rank within their respective company.
But also, because it is meant to be an extension of the individual it represents and a lot of care is put into designing it so, a quick moment is taken to appreciate the card itself. It is considered very poor etiquette to place it carelessly in a pocket or wallet, to fold it or write notes on it. Special holders made of high quality materials are used for storing the cards.
Even in a world as busy and competitive as that of business, such rituals are performed in order to establish a climate of mutual respect and harmony.