Global
Etiquette
Business Cards
By Maralyn D. Hill
M
any of you have heard the
expression, “You have one
chance to make a first
impression.” Well, think
of being introduced and
handing someone your card. The
latter is your second chance. If
you just grab his business card
haphazardly, how is it of any
importance or why should it be
viewed as important? By the same
token, if someone hands you his card
and you quickly stash it away without
really looking at it, that individual
will consider it an insult or that
you don’t care.
In Asia, business cards are presented
with both hands to the individual. You
side with the language of the country
I’m visiting side up. It is appreciated
and shows proper etiquette.
read and study the name and title
and carefully put it in a business card
holder. Now, you present your card in
the same manner with both hands.
Notice how long the individual takes
to review your card. I will say, as an
American, this sometimes seems like
a long exchange if there are five or
six people in the group. However, it is
one of importance. Personally, while
I’m looking at the card, I attempt to
do some name association with it.
It used to be when your traveled to
Hong Kong, you would use Cantonese.
But since 1997, when control was
given back to China, the language
reverted to Mandarin. This is an
important distinction. In Singapore,
where the main languages are
Chinese, Malay and Indian, you
are fine with your English cards, as
the first language of the country is
English. The key in traveling to other
countries is to check the language
of that country.
When I’m traveling to another country
on business or for an extended period,
I have special cards printed up with
English on one side and the language
of the country I’m visiting on the
other. I’m quite careful to present the
Some countries use a card that is
5
slightly larger than our U.S. business
card. It does not fit in our standard
business card case. I usually suggest
traveling with a note size envelope
where I print, VIP Contacts from
----------. Your contact sees they are
going in a place of importance and it
matters. In addition, you have them
all together to conveniently refer
to for further follow up.
Is this necessary throughout Europe,
Central and South America? Generally,
it is not. Do the people you encounter
view it as courteous and appreciate it,
yes. Business cards are no longer a
huge investment. Invest in yourself
and have your second impression
compliment your first introduction.