personal "business"/"Non-Business" cards ???

[Goldiegirl]

Sorry to be so confusing. :gomen: Twice now in Japan I have been given "business" cards by women who don't work out of the house. They were from women who I had met and they wanted a friend / acquaintance that they could speak English with and be penpals. That's cool. Anyway, they both gave me their "card". Hmmm.....is that usual? If it is the norm, I want some! They were very cute. I would have mine in English on one side Japanese on the other. I would love to hand out cards! It would be much easier because my handwriting is really quite terrible. I guess I just want to know if non-working women in Japan routinely have "personal" business cards. One woman was a high school friend of my husband and the other was a woman I met at a 100 yen store. :clueless:

[Glenski]

Have heard of such cards. Not a heckuva lot of people seem to have them AFAIK.

Go ahead and make your own, Goldie. No harm as long as the receiver understands what you want.

[Goldiegirl]

Glenski, I think I understand your point. I too was confused and thought maybe there was something "shady" with these cards, but my husband said they were ok, but I don't always think he gives me to correct information. Not on purpose, but his translating of Japanese and Japanese cultural tid-bits is sometimes woefully lacking. Thank goodness for Jref. :)

I do want those cards! :)

[Mars Man]

Yes. For non-outside working women (since there is housework, which can be figured into the Gross domestic product) having such 'cute' calling cards is not so common it does seem, but once in a while you'll find one.

No. There would most usually be nothing 'shady' or 'undercover' or 'suspicious' about one having, and handing over one.

Yeah, please do make your own. Make them cute, and even think up a little jingle that may describe you--one that'll be easy to put into Japanese (not necessarily as a direct translation, but that can get the emotion and communication across).

[Glenski]

Just don't put your picture on it with a seductive pose and leave it in phone booths. Those are for OTHER types of business cards!

[misa.j]

It sounds like one of those little things people do for fun. Giving out a non-business card with your name and a bit of information does seem like a good way to expand your social networking.
One of my friends gave me a card with his website and e-mail address; he is a digital artist and made neat cards. I found this site for your enjoyment, Goldie!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailypoetics/sets/72057594104389710/
Just don't put your picture on it with a seductive pose and leave it in phone booths. Those are for OTHER types of business cards!
LOL, that reminds me of the cards I had to give out with a fake name when I worked at a bar in Japan once. No one came back to see me, even though I didn't have a seductive pose on it!

[bruno]

Just don't put your picture on it with a seductive pose and leave it in phone booths. Those are for OTHER types of business cards!

Very inappropriate suggestion, Mr. G. Not even a joke !!:p

[Goldiegirl]

I think this is going to be a lot of fun! I will post a picture of my "business" card when I get one done...and see what you all think! :)

[dreamer]

Well...business or not, here in the Louisiana, people tend to give business cards even for non business purpose. I've been here for a year and received about a dozen of B-cards saying "consultant in ***" or things along those lines.

I guess I should print out a few cards too even though I am still a student, sounds funny :)

[FrustratedDave]

Is this the same "I want to marry a forigner and it does matter who it is " crowd? Or are they a completely different group?

[dreamer]

Just wanted to say that I finally had my cards printed out although I barely make use of them at all :p