The Etiquette of Presenting and Receiving a Business Card In Asian Countries It is considered polite for people in Asia to give something formally with both hands. People think it is arbitrary and casual to pass something with one hand. Instead, using both hands means showing your respect and sincerity to others, especially when giving a gift and deliver items to your boss or guests in ceremonial occasions. That’s because people think it must be distinguished from daily routine. Similarly, since people want others to feel respected, they present their business card to others in such way that the words on the print-side could be read as it is accepted (Black & Price, 1999). In this way they offer convenience to the recipient. Additionally, it makes it hard for people to receive the card without reading it. Moreover, people believe a business card, in a way, represents the image of a businessman in China, thus typically representing eastern Asia. When someone gives you a business card, it means they are willing to know you and cooperate with you. It is well-known that you should never make a Chinese person lose face, whenever you present or receive the card, you should respect the card in order to show respect to the owner as well. Therefore, when you receive the card, you should regard it as a gift representing its owner and accept it with gratitude and read the words carefully on the business card instead of putting it quickly into your pocket showing that you are pleased to memorize your business friend’s information so as to honor them. In this way, people hope they will build a friendly relationship between each other. 'Business cards should be presented with two hands, preferably from a card wallet, not the wallet you've been sitting on,' Kim Walker, the Asia president of M&C Saatchi, advises in Singapore (Hicks, 2007). As far as I researched, the same thing happens in Korea, Japan. Japan is Asia's most extreme market for business-card etiquette, Michelle Kristula-Green, the Asia-Pacific president of Leo Burnett, says. 'If you drop it on the floor and step on it, you're stepping on the person. It's hard to remember people's names, so line name cards in front of you in the order of the people you've met.'(Hicks, 2007) However, it is not the same in West and South Asian countries. People in India and Middle Eastern countries use the right hand to give and receive business cards("Knowing foreign customs," 2009). This is related to their habit with their right hands. In India and Middle East, where soap and water are scarce in the deserts, people reserve their left hands for less clean purposes in order to keep the right hand clean. It is reasonable after you really think about it carefully for people to do so. In a sense, using your left hand will only cause offence and harm your chances of a successful partnership. That is to say, not all the people in Asian countries present cards. All in all, the claim above is false due to its over-generalization about Asia countries. The etiquette mentioned above is only suitable in the East and some of the Southeast Asia countries. Business practices are formal and required two hands, however not all countries in Asia follow the rule. After all, Asia is the largest continent and different cultures originate from different origins.

References
Black, A., & Price, M. (1999). Etiquette, Asian styl. Treasury & Risk Management, 9(2), 24.
Hicks, R. (2007). A rough guide to Asian business etiquette.Campaign (UK), (44), 24-25.
(2009). Knowing foreign customs adds opportunities.Fairfield County Business Journal, 48(40), Special section p2-2. 1/2p.