card etiquette.
한국어EN

A little guide to first impressions

Exchanging cards in Korea.

See each gesture, then explore 12 practical situations: client visits, meals, missing cards, digital exchanges and follow-up.

Where are you meeting?

KoreaU.S.

In a formal first meeting, use both hands as a sign of respect.

THE ESSENTIAL
Choose your situation04 SITUATIONS
Your perspective🇰🇷 Korea
Your contact↓
Your two hands holding the edges of a business card
↔Illustrative gesture
↑You01 / 04
STEP 01One-to-one

Prepare your card and introduce yourself

Have a clean card ready and introduce your name and organization. In a formal setting, stand if you can and greet the person.

Something you could say

Hello, I’m Minseo Kim.

Keep your cards easy to reach.

Take it one step at a time. No sound needed.Read all steps↓
01 /

What should I do when…?

From a first visit to your follow-up. Open a situation for practical steps and words you can use.

First introductions

Client visits, introductions and interviews

01

Visiting a client for the first time

Checking in at reception and introducing yourself to your meeting partner are different moments. Establish who you are there to see, then have your card ready for the person you will be speaking with.

Try this
  1. Before entering, check that your name, role and contact details are current. Keep your own cards separate from cards you receive.
  2. Briefly explain your name, organization and role in today’s meeting. Your printed job title may not explain what you will contribute.
  3. Move from the exchange to the purpose of the visit or your prepared question. You do not need to read every detail on the card aloud.

In a Korean meeting

In a formal Korean introduction, offer the card with both hands and acknowledge the name and title on the card you receive.

You could say

Hello, I’m Minseo Kim. I’ll be walking you through the product today.

Keep in mindIf reception requests a card, you can ask whether it is for the visitor record. Distinguish a check-in procedure from a personal networking exchange.

02

Unsure of titles or introduction order

You may enter a room without knowing who leads the meeting. Listen to introductions and connect names with roles rather than guessing seniority from appearance or age.

Try this
  1. Follow the person making introductions. Avoid interrupting someone who is speaking to start distributing cards.
  2. When it is your turn, greet people individually. You can ask for an introduction during a break if you miss someone.
  3. If a title is unfamiliar, ask about the person’s responsibilities or preferred form of address instead of pretending to understand.

In a Korean meeting

Titles and forms of address vary across Korean organizations. Use the card and self-introduction as clues, and ask when uncertain.

You could say

How would you prefer me to address you?

Keep in mindThe order in which you receive cards is not a ranking of people’s importance. If you miss an introduction, ask for the name again and return your attention to the conversation.

03

At an interview or recruiting conversation

Contact information helps you follow the next steps you were given. It is not an invitation to repeatedly contact a recruiter. Students and job seekers can introduce themselves without a printed business card.

Try this
  1. Introduce your name and area of interest, then follow the instructions for submitting your résumé or application.
  2. Near the end, ask which official channel to use for follow-up questions. A recruiting page can be the appropriate answer instead of a card.
  3. Record the company, meeting date, deadlines and actions you agreed to take. Check the spelling of the representative’s name.

In a Korean meeting

If you do not have a job title, use accurate information about your studies or interests. Receiving contact details does not replace the employer’s recruiting process.

You could say

Should I use the recruiting email address if I have a follow-up question?

Keep in mindAvoid requesting a private number or using a card to press for a hiring decision. Check the stated timeline and inquiry process first.

Different settings

Conferences, meals and multilingual meetings

04

A short conversation at a conference

At a busy event, a name alone may be hard to remember later. The useful connection is the conversation attached to the card, rather than the number of cards collected.

Try this
  1. Start with something you share in the moment, such as the presentation or a product at the booth.
  2. When you find a shared interest, explain what you would like to discuss later and suggest exchanging contact details.
  3. If people are waiting or the next session is starting, thank the person and wrap up. Note the topic after stepping away.

In a Korean meeting

Use the formal exchange as a reference, but in a crowded Korean booth prioritize a brief, careful handover.

You could say

I’d like to learn more about the material you mentioned. Could we exchange cards?

Keep in mindAvoid turning a speaker’s question line into a long sales pitch. If they do not share contact details, look for public slides or an official inquiry channel.

05

Should you exchange cards during a meal?

First distinguish a business meal from a purely social gathering. While someone is eating, they may have neither a free hand nor a clean place to put a card.

Try this
  1. For a business meal, choose a moment when hands are free, such as introductions before food arrives or after the meal.
  2. Keep cards away from plates, cutlery and glasses, or put them in a case after reading them to prevent spills and stains.
  3. If business talk would take over a social meal, simply establish whether to stay in touch and save the details for another setting.

In a Korean meeting

You do not need to reproduce a Korean meeting-table arrangement at a dining table. After acknowledging the introduction, choose a clean way to store the card.

You could say

Would it be all right to exchange contact details after the meal?

Keep in mindAvoid making someone put down cutlery or move food to accept your card. If the moment is awkward, wait.

06

A bilingual card or an unfamiliar name

The language on a card and the person’s preferred name are different things. An English-language card does not require an English name, and an unfamiliar name is not a reason to invent a nickname.

Try this
  1. With a bilingual card, show the side the recipient can read comfortably. If you are unsure, briefly ask their language preference.
  2. Ask once if you are unsure of the pronunciation, then repeat it carefully. Avoid repeatedly guessing from the spelling.
  3. If a title is used differently from your organization, ask about the role instead of assuming a rank.

In a Korean meeting

Korean-English cards can help in a Korean meeting with overseas visitors. Add one sentence about your responsibilities if a translated title is unclear.

You could say

I’d like to say your name correctly. Could you tell me how to pronounce it?

Keep in mindAvoid jokes about a name being difficult or suggestions to change it. A private pronunciation note can help you remember it next time.

When things go wrong

Missing cards, full hands and small mistakes

07

You forgot your cards or ran out

You do not need to keep searching your bag to hide the fact that you have no cards. Briefly explain and offer one convenient alternative.

Try this
  1. Simply say that you forgot your cards or have given them all out. Avoid using the conversation for a long explanation.
  2. Offer a work email, public profile or digital card, and ask which method the other person prefers.
  3. If you promise to send details later, include your name and where you met. Still acknowledge a card you receive even if you have none to offer.

In a Korean meeting

Keep the same courtesy in a Korean introduction when offering an alternative. Have an option that does not require the recipient to install a new app.

You could say

I’m sorry, I’ve run out of cards today. May I email you my contact details?

Keep in mindDo not pass off a colleague’s card as your own or forget an offer to send details. If the person declines an exchange, thank them and move on.

08

Your hands are full

A folder, bag or drink can make a handover awkward. Pausing to create space is more useful than forcing a particular movement.

Try this
  1. Ask for a moment and put your drink or materials somewhere stable. Do not unexpectedly hand your belongings to the other person.
  2. If there is nowhere to put things, suggest exchanging later. If one hand is the practical option, make a careful handover that works for you.
  3. Wait if the other person’s hands are occupied too. Offer help when appropriate and follow their answer.

In a Korean meeting

Using both hands is a general sign of formality, not a test of physical ability. Prioritize comfort and safety around injuries, disabilities or mobility aids.

You could say

One moment, please. Let me put these papers down first.

Keep in mindDo not reposition someone’s hands or comment on an inability to bend or stand. An exchange that works for both people is enough.

09

A dropped card or a mistaken name

After a small mistake, resolve the inconvenience and return to the conversation rather than reenacting the entire exchange. A brief apology and a clear correction are often enough.

Try this
  1. If you drop a card, retrieve it safely and check its condition. Avoid reaching dangerously into a walkway or under furniture.
  2. Replace your own card if it is dirty. If theirs is damaged, apologize and ask for another way to keep the contact details.
  3. If you use the wrong name, check it and correct yourself once. Use the corrected name from then on.

In a Korean meeting

If you use the wrong Korean title, check the card and introduction again. Accuracy is more helpful than guessing a more senior title.

You could say

I used the wrong name. I’m sorry, Minseo Kim. Please go on.

Keep in mindAvoid rubbing a card vigorously against your clothing or repeating the same apology. Focus on how you treat the person after the mistake.

After the exchange

Notes, digital contacts and following through

10

Can you write on a business card?

What you want to remember is often the context of the conversation rather than the name alone. Separating what to record from when to record it helps you respect both the card and the conversation.

Try this
  1. Choose facts useful for the next contact, such as the event, topic and material you promised to send.
  2. Use a separate notebook during the conversation or ask before taking notes. If using a phone, briefly explain what you are recording.
  3. After leaving, connect the card with your notes. Check name and email spelling and record any commitments.

In a Korean meeting

Some Korean business guidance allows notes on the back of a card. Rather than treating it as always forbidden, consider formality and preference; use a separate notebook if unsure.

You could say

May I note the name of that resource so I don’t forget it?

Keep in mindAvoid recording judgments about appearance or sensitive personal conversation. Keep contact details out of shared screens and public documents.

11

Exchanging a QR code or digital card

A digital exchange is only useful if the other person can read and save your details. Do not assume identical apps or devices; keep a simple alternative ready.

Try this
  1. Ask whether a digital exchange is convenient before presenting a QR code. Offer email or a paper card if it is not.
  2. Show your name and organization alongside the code and allow time to scan. Do not take over the other person’s phone.
  3. If the connection fails, check once and switch methods. Confirm the correct contact was saved, then return to the conversation.

In a Korean meeting

A digital card need not replace acknowledging names and roles in a Korean introduction. Briefly explain what you do while showing your contact details.

You could say

Would a digital card work for you? I can also send my details by email.

Keep in mindDo not treat scanning or saving a card as a request for advertising. Check that other people’s contact details or private notifications are not visible on your screen.

12

Writing your first follow-up

The other person may have met many people that day. A useful first message reminds them where you met and what you agreed, rather than becoming a long introduction all over again.

Try this
  1. Identify the meeting or event and your name in the subject or opening. Mention one specific topic from the conversation.
  2. Deliver the material or answer you promised first. If requesting a next step, ask one question that is easy to answer.
  3. Meet an agreed deadline. Without one, send a concise message while the conversation is fresh. Consider the event schedule and their circumstances if there is no reply.

In a Korean meeting

Use the form of address you confirmed and state the meeting context. Sending what you actually promised is more useful than a generic promotional introduction.

You could say

This is Minseo Kim from today’s product meeting. Here is the comparison I promised. Please let me know if any item needs clarification.

Keep in mindAvoid daily reminders or repeating the same message across several channels. Keep a contact exchange separate from a newsletter subscription.

Three checks before you meet

  • Are your contact details current and easy to reach?
  • Can you briefly explain your role and why you are meeting?
  • Do you have another way to exchange details if paper cards are unavailable?
Revisit the illustrated exchange ↑
02 /

Beyond the gesture

01

Take your cue from the meeting.

This guide focuses on formal first meetings. Practices vary by organization and person.

02

Take a moment to read the name and title.

Recognizing the person matters more than following a gesture perfectly.

03

Collect any cards on the table before leaving.

If you are standing or there is no table, read the card and keep it safely in your card case.

03 /

The complete guide, at a glance

Every step is also available as text.

01One-to-oneA respectful first introduction

  1. Prepare your card and introduce yourself

    Have a clean card ready and introduce your name and organization. In a formal setting, stand if you can and greet the person.

    Keep your cards easy to reach.

  2. Offer it facing the other person

    Hold the edges with both hands and offer the card so the other person can read it. Keep your fingers clear of the name and contact details.

    Orient the text for the recipient, not yourself.

  3. Receive it and read the name

    Receive it with both hands when practical. Take a moment to read the name and title before putting it away.

    It is fine to politely check how to pronounce a name.

  4. Keep the card carefully

    During a seated meeting, you can place the card neatly on the table. Remember to collect it and put it in your card case afterward.

    Without a table, read the card and put it safely away.

02At the same timeWhen you both offer a card

  1. Pause and coordinate

    If you both offer a card, there is no need to rush. Notice where the other person’s hands are and coordinate the exchange.

    If the movement feels awkward, exchange cards one at a time.

  2. Exchange one card at a time if needed

    If you are unsure, lower your own card briefly and receive theirs first. A careful exchange is more useful than forcing a particular hand sequence.

    The animation shows a sequential alternative for an awkward simultaneous exchange.

  3. Then offer your own card

    Keep the received card safe, then offer yours facing the recipient. Use both hands when practical in a formal meeting.

    You do not have to do every movement at once.

  4. Read the name and continue

    After the exchange, read their name and title and continue the conversation. Respect for the person matters more than the choreography.

    There is no need to memorize one universal simultaneous-exchange routine.

03In a groupKeeping track of the people you meet

  1. Follow the introductions

    Follow the host’s or your colleague’s introductions. If the order is unclear, wait for guidance or ask politely.

    Introduction order can vary between organizations.

  2. Give each person your attention

    Introduce yourself to each person and offer a card individually, with the text facing them.

    Hand cards individually rather than sliding or scattering them across a table.

  3. Connect each name to a face

    Read each name and title as you receive the card. Focus on the person you are greeting rather than collecting the whole stack.

    Ask politely if you are unsure how to address someone.

  4. Use the seating order as a reminder

    If table space allows, place cards in seating order to help remember names. Collect every card before leaving.

    Seating order is a memory aid, not a compulsory rule.

04At the meeting tablePlacement, care and putting cards away

  1. Place it where you can read it

    After reading the card and greeting the person, place it in a clear space in front of you, with the text facing you.

    Choose a visible spot; the left or right side is not a universal rule.

  2. Match cards to the seating order

    With several cards, arrange them in the order people sit as seen from your seat. This helps you connect each face with a name.

    This is a memory aid, not a required ranking or card-case arrangement.

  3. Keep cards clear and undamaged

    Keep cards clear of papers, your phone and drinks. Avoid bending or fidgeting with them, and use a separate notebook for your notes.

    The notebook and cup positions illustrate safe placement, not a formal layout rule.

  4. Collect the cards before leaving

    As the meeting ends, thank everyone and put the cards in your case. Check the table before you leave.

    If you are standing or there is no table, read the card and store it safely.

Sources & context

Guidance for common business situations. Practices vary by organization and individual. The sequential exchange is a practical alternative suggested by this guide, not a universal rule.

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