What is the appropriate way to handle a business card?
The appropriate way to handle a business card is, let's say you're at a table with people, and someone around the table wants your card, you should not pass it between hands. You get up and you walk around the table, and give someone your business card. Gentlemen, if someone gives you their business card, don't take your wallet out of your back pocket, put it in your wallet, and then put it back in your pocket. In some cultures that's considered an obscene gesture, so avoid doing that. You should treat the business card like a thin piece of glass. For example, if you're handing someone your business card, hand it to them by the edge, with the print facing them, so when they get it they can read it. Don't hand the business card sideways and with two fingers as there's certain things you don't do and this is not appropriate. Hand it with one hand facing the person, and when you receive a business card you can receive it with one hand. Then if you'll point to that business card, look at the person and ask them one question about the business card, just one, as it will make them think you looked at it, and that you care. For example, you could say "Oh, I see you're on the 12th floor of that bank building, what direction do you face?" Or even, "Great logo, tell me what that means". You can also use "Oh, you're Vice President of that company." Any trigger is appropriate when dealing with business cards, and they'll talk and have a good time with you. But, if you just take the business card, which most people do, and put it away, what does that tell them? It tells them that you really don't care, that it's just a cursory waste of your time. It's always appropriate to comment on a business card, in fact, as long as you've got that finger on their card, they'll talk to you.
