Business Cards

[waynelorentz]

Next month I will take my first trip to Japan. I have been reading a lot about it, and several books say it is essential to bring business cards with you, even if you're only travelling for pleasure, not business. They also recommend having the reverse side printed with a Japanese translation of the front side. Since my company is just me, and I print my own business cards, I was hoping someone here could tell me how my information should look in Japanese. I'm just starting to learn Japanese, so my abilities are no where near what they need to be for such a task. If phoenetics are important, "Lorentz" is pronounced like Sophia "Loren" plus an "sss" sound at the end. And "Artefaqs" is pronounced the same way as "artifacts." If this forum isn't the proper place to ask such a question, please point me in the right direction. Thanks. Also, would it be better to print it vertically in the Japanese style instead of horizontally in the Western style? Would that make a better impression? I've heard the Japanese appreciate little efforts like that.

Here's the information on the front of my business card:

Wayne Lorentz
Artefaqs Corporation
Architectural Photography
182 West Lake Street
Suite 2502
Chicago, Illinois 60601
United States

[ArmandV]

Just write it as is. You don't need to translate it into Japanese. On my first trip to Japan in 2001, I just had normal business cards made and, as it turned out, most of the people I gave them out to were able to read them. When I received theirs, they had Japanese and English scripts on them.

When you receive a business card from someone there, make sure you take the time to look it over real good in their presence. It shows respect on your part.