Business Card Etiquette For Doing Business in Foreign Countries

Presenting your business card portrays you as a professional, and is a representation of your business. When doing business in other countries, there are different ways to exchange business cards, and handing them out should be done in the correct manner. A business card is an internationally recognized method of offering a fellow businessperson your contact details. Therefore, if you travel overseas on business a lot, you should have a printer at the Lake of the Ozarks print you a good business card supply. Smart Postal Centers is your full-service printing center for high-quality business cards at the Lake of the Ozarks.

General Guidelines

If you are traveling to a country whose main language is not English, you should have one side translated into the language of the country you are visiting, if possible. Always present the card with the foreign version side up, not the English side. This shows you are serious about doing business there. In many countries, it is considered disrespectful to put the card you were just offered immediately into your pocket. You should look at it for a few moments and clarify any information on it before putting it away. Study foreign customs of the country you are visiting to be prepared. Here are some more examples of business card etiquette in various countries:

The Middle East

Business cards are often given to everyone you meet. It is wise to have one side of your card translated into Arabic, but if you do that be sure to check the translation. Always present and accept business cards with your right hand or both hands, but never with just solely your left. 

India

Put any university degrees or honors on your business cards, as India places a great deal of emphasis on academic achievement. Always use your right hand when offering your business card. If the local dialect is Hindi, then you may not need to print one side of the card in that language because most business people who speak Hindi can also speak English.

China

Present your business card before asking for another person's card. Hold out your card with both hands and text facing the other party when you present it to them. Study the business card when you receive one and comment before putting the card away. Never write on the card in the person's presence. Find out the specific dialect of the people you will be meeting, whether Cantonese, Mandarin, etc. and have the card translated to correspond to the region of China they are from. The script for the characters should be Simplified Chinese, as that is the most commonly used script today in most parts of China. Gold is a lucky color in China and any gold print or embossing expresses fortune. Highlight any pertinent information on the card, such as the year your business was established. Your title should be displayed prominently as well. 

Japan

Giving and receiving business cards in Japan is quite ceremonial. Business cards are not just for business interactions, but also for personal relationships. Nearly everyone, whether business or personal, from the time they are a student and onward has their own cards. Make sure your business and title are prominently printed on the card. Status is important to the Japanese so present your business card to the highest ranked person first. When accepting another person's card, hold out both hands. Do not write on another person's business card or fold it. In a meeting, it is respectful to keep all the cards in front of you.

Have Your Business Cards Printed at Smart Postal Centers

Business cards are an essential part of doing business throughout the world. When traveling overseas, it is critical to know the customs of the country you are doing business with, and it is important to find out all you can about proper etiquette there. Get high-quality business cards and other marketing materials to take with you overseas at your Lake of the Ozarks printer. Smart Postal Centers has a full graphics department to assist you with your professional image. Call us at (573) 348-3100 and let us help you make a good first impression when traveling abroad.

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

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www.SmartPostalCenters.com
Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com
4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065
573-348-3100
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