Business Card Etiquette

 On a few occasions, you may have heard someone wonder aloud about international business etiquette. Shake or Bow?  Fashionably late or punctually early? Ask about the family or go straight down to business?

 If you have asked yourself the same questions, maybe you will enjoy reading "Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands" by Wayne Conaway. 

 For now, here are a 10 important international business card etiquette:

1- Don't run out: Business cards are an internationally recognized  way to exchane professinal contact information. Failure to have them when needed can be embarassing and can even bring competence into question.

2- Exchange cards before or after the meeting. It is often considered  innapropriate to initiate the exchange in the middle.

3- If necessary, use the back of your card for linguistic or cultural translations.

4- Make sure to hand out your card with the front up. Some cultures may consider it backhanded or insulting if you hand them your card face down.

5- When receiving a card, clarify any information that is not immediately clear. A nice word about the other person's card is always considered polite.

6- Try to avoid rewriting outdated infromation. It looks unprofessional. If you must do this, make sure you explain why.

7- Invest a few dollars in a cardholder. Worn out cards and or faded print are guaranteeed to create a negative impression.

8- Hand your cards out with your right hand only. While it may sound trivial, such things can be important in places like Japan.

9- Respect the cards you receive. Do not just shove them into your pocket. Look at it for a few seconds, read it out loud and make a polite comment.

10- Be selective when handing out your cards. Giving it out anyone in the room can make you look a little desperate. 

 

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