Business Cards - A Forgotten Treasure Trove Or An Overlooked Pandora’s Box Of Uncertainties Part One

Business cards are traditionally the primary way that business people present their contact information to potential customers or clients. Historically, businessmen in the U.S. and United Kingdom have not placed much importance on business cards - they simply act as a networking tool to make sure clients have the necessary contact information.

However in a few cultures, including the Chinese and Japanese, exchanging business cards is a high honor and more importance is placed on high-quality namecard.

Deemed as a small inconsequential piece of paper that is part of day to day meetings with people, the card is seldom considered more than its face value. They have a long and intriguing history from serving as a repository for culture, to being the gateway of profits.

If you’re thinking about creating some cards of your own, take a few minutes to find out a little more about these handy, historic business accessories. 

The first documented business card was the “Meishi” in Japan in the 15th century. “Meishi” was a formal announcement that the Japanese emperor and empress were going to be visiting and hence, the Meishi was distributed to the public to make them aware of the visit.  In those days, the Meishi was in part linked to classism as well.

The requirement for the person of lower status to present their Meishi before the noblemen do so, buttressed the entrenched view that there were superior and inferior groups in a society. It rightfully shed light on the segmented society in Japan. 

Even in the late 15th street there was an etiquette to handing out business cards. The proper way to give a Meishi is to hold both corners without covering any details.  It is also considered impolite to give a bent or damaged business card.

Such practices undeniably underscored the paramount importance of humility and seriousness in Japanese culture, giving such heightened regard for a piece of paper.