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After you take the card, look at it and study the contents. Say the person's name (try your best) and look back at the
card's owner for confirmation, smiling slightly. Ask him to pronounce his name for you AND REPEAT IT AFTER HIM until you get it right. Asian names notwithstanding, European/Anglo surnames are just as
challenging and everyone likes to have his/her name properly pronounced. You will be rewarded with appreciation and brownie points because you took the time. Don't laugh and make a tactless comment like,
"This is Chinese (Japanese, Korean) to me!"Once you have asked for and received someone's business card. NEVER ask for it again on any occasion. To do so gives the message that you didn't care enough
about the card, the businessperson, or the business relationship. The only exception to this rule is if you request two cards at the time you are accepting one and quality yourself by saying, "I'd like to
give your name and card to a friend of mine who could use your service/business." In American etiquette, it is considered poor taste to talk about business and exchange business cards at social functions,
but that is not so with your Asian clients and customers. Networking at social and family events play an important part in building business relationships. If you are invited to any social function, by all
means, GO, and bring lots of cards with you. |
