The credit card processing system that we take for granted every day has a lot of moving parts. The presentation of one’s meishi to another person is more formal and ritualistic than in the Western world The card should be held at the top two corners, face up and turned so that it can be read by the person receiving the meishi, who takes it by the bottom two corners using both hands. Placing one’s fingers over the name or other information is considered rude. Upon receiving the meishi, one is expected to read the business card over, noting the person’s name and rank. One should then thank the other person, saying “choudai itashimasu” (“I accept your name card”) or “choudai shimasu”, and then bow 6 When meishi are being exchanged between parties with different status , such as between the president of a company and someone in middle management, it is proper that the person of lower status extend his or her business card in such a way that it is underneath or below the meishi being extended by the person in a higher position.
