Introductions

In Japan, when people are introduced they say “Hajime mashite” which is derived from hajimeru, meaning to begin. When giving their names, the suffix desu is added in casual situations while the suffix to moshimasu is added in formal situations – Watanabe desu or Watanabe to moshimasu. A bow is made in both cases.

Japanese people greet each other with a bow. Bowing is a complex exercise and the degree of the bow varies from a nod of the head to the full 90-degree bow depending on the situation and the relationship between the two people. You are expected to bow deeper and longer than your counterpart does, especially if he or she is of higher status than you are. Bowing is also used for the purpose of thanking and apologizing.

When meeting people for business, Japanese people exchange meishi (business cards) as the first order of business. When giving meishi, one is expected to stand especially when exchanging cards with someone of a higher rank, face your counterpart, bowing slightly, and hand your card over with both hands, making sure the card is facing the recipient. The same rules apply when receiving cards. Under any circumstance, you should not place the card in your back pockets immediately after receiving it. Take time to read the card, you may even want to say the person’s name, making sure of the pronunciation, as a show of interest and respect to the other party. Make sure you come to a meeting prepared have more than enough cards to go around. When you are seated at a table, and have received more than one meishi, arrange the cards neatly on the table in front of you, referring to them often during the meeting as a sign of interest and respect.