Alternative ways of handing over a business card in Japan
A friend of a friend is doing training for her new job.
we started our ‘business manner seminar’ today and we learnt the 3 different types of bowing, 5 different types of keigo, and the 100 million ways you can present your business card.
laughing and learning at the same time is quite tricky…!
But as we all know, Japanese business is a highly ritualized affair, where the slightest gaffe in handing over your business card can sully the future working relationship and blah. Blah. BLAH.
I tried to come up with some more amusing methods of handing over your business card.
- Receive business card, and when they look at you expectantly, smile bashfully. Later, leave fistfuls of business cards in letterbox, behind windscreen wipers, unattended jacket pockets etc. Include rose for that extra stalker chic.
- Carve name and number backwards into other person’s forehead with an icepick, press a napkin against it and present it to them.
- Insert into cleavage (chest or bottom, your pick) then ask them to take it. Start screaming when their hand gets within about 6 inches.
- Daub with red ink. Say to other person: “It’s fine, don’t worry, it’s not mine.”
- Flick at other person while they’re not looking. Claim innocence.
- Say “Nice one son, just what I was looking for”, and use their card to chop up and snort a line of coke from the table in front of them.
God, I should really do some study.
Update (April 14, 2008):
i like the last one the best i think.
Tags: business, business card, ettiquette, japan, meishi