Recently I had the privilege of joining Brandon on the Harmonious Lunch podcast where we talked all things networking.

At the end of our conversation, he mentioned the cultural differences between Japan and the West when it comes to giving and receiving business cards. Intrigued, I did a little research and was fascinated with Japan's traditions around this practice.

While we may not want to take our business card practices as far as the Japanese business community does, there are definitely lessons to learn from how they treat the business card hand off.

Here are three practices the Japanese hold sacred when it comes to their business cards, and how we might capture the spirt of each practice, without looking conspicuous in the process.

In Japaneses business culture, a business card is sacred.

Read what JapanLivingGuide.com has to say:

On Receiving the Business Card

"When you receive the other person's card, accept it with both hands, and hold it at a low position, no higher than your chest. Be sure to thank them for the card. Read over the card and make sure you understand everything presented to you, most importantly the presenter's name. Practice saying their name, and if you don't know how to pronounce the person's name, it is not considered rude to ask."

First, for those of us in the West, we don't need to worry about offending the giver of the card if we don't hold the card in the proper position, but I was struck by the thought and kindness in this practice. It's important that we address people how they would like to be addressed, and the transfer of a business card is the perfect opportunity to make sure we are giving people proper respect by checking to make sure their names sound pleasant coming out of our mouths.

Second, Japanese business culture also discourages the business card from being put directly into a wallet or back pocket immediately after receiving it. Professionals in business settings are encouraged to excuse themselves to put away the card, out of sight of the one who has given the card.

While this may be considered extreme in the West, I think it's a nice touch. It seems impractical, running off to the bathroom after each new card is received, but what I like is the spirit of the practice. The hesitation to put a business card out of sight the second it is received, is almost like saying without words, "You are important to me right now."

On Giving the Business Card

"Offer your business card with your right hand, and hold it by the top corner, so as not to cover any names or logos. Your cardholder should be held in your left hand. Remember to bow, and remember to use the traditional Japanese phrases when introducing yourself."

Finally, bowing in the West will probably look silly, but what I find very practical about this directive is the way the giver of the card holds it when presenting it to someone. By holding the card in the top right corner, the giver ensures that the receiver doesn't have to turn the card around to read it. What a subtle touch.

In Mini Tour 4 you can read other business card tips that aren't specific to any region or country. The biggest take away is to treat your card like an extension of yourself, and treat cards you receive as extensions of those giving you their cards.

Every interaction at a networking meeting means something, people are constantly trying to find out if you are a trustworthy person to be around and to send referrals to.

Having business cards easily accessible to give, only giving cards to those who ask, handing cards in a way that makes it easy for the receiver to read, verifying the correct pronunciation of a person's name when the card is given, these are all small actions that communicate in a big way.

They communicate genuineness and trustworthiness, two qualities you must have to network effectively.

Go network my friend, and remember:

The insignificant business card hand off, both in the giving and receiving, can be a way to communicate your trustworthiness. Make the subtle changes and see what comes.

The Networker's Tour Guide, Faithann Basore, and her husband Dave have owned Window Cleaning Plus (WCP) for 10 years. Growing WCP through networking has given Faithann the desire to guide other small business owners through the networking terrain so they can feel comfortable and build long lasting relationships in their business.

Got networking questions? Email me at [email protected].