Networking vocabulary
Textbook명함을 교환합시다myeong-ham-eul gyo-hwan-hap-si-daLet us exchange business cards
Real명함 드려도 될까요? / 혹시 명함 있으세요?myeong-ham deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo? / hok-si myeong-ham it-eu-se-yo?May I give you my card? / Do you have a card?🏷️ Any casual setting
명함 exchange has a ritual: give and receive with BOTH HANDS, read it before putting it away, and place it on the table (not in your pocket) during the meeting. Stuffing it straight in your wallet = disrespect.
명함 exchange ritual
두 손으로 드리기/받기Give/receive with both hands
받은 후 잠깐 읽기Read the card briefly after receiving
회의 중 테이블 위에 놓기Place it on the table during the meeting
이름+직함으로 부르기Address by name + title from the card
지갑에 바로 넣지 않기Don't immediately put it in your wallet
The 명함 ritual is taken seriously at Korean business events. Your card represents your company and your position. Many Koreans still judge you by the quality of your 명함 — thick card stock and clean design matter.
Post-meeting Korean networking: send a KakaoTalk message within 24 hours. '오늘 만나서 반가웠습니다. ○○ 건 관련해서 다시 연락드리겠습니다' (Nice meeting you today. I'll contact you again regarding ○○). This 'follow-up' culture (팔로업) is borrowed from Western business but executed with Korean politeness.
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