I didn't bring business cards to Japan. Big mistake.

The ritual of Japanese business cards.

Follow Johnny for more photos and videos from his travels around the globe.

Ritual and ceremony are paramount in Japanese culture. Together, they dictate social interactions at both the macro and micro scales of society. Understanding and navigating these norms can be difficult, but sometimes the solution is waiting in Tokyo’s metro.

[Vox]

Hey everyone: this dispatch video is part of the Vox Borders project. I'm visiting six places around the world to investigate the human impact of borders, and those six videos will be released in fall 2017. In the meantime I'm making these vlog style shorts.

If you want to follow my travels, the best way to do it is following my FB page:
and signing up for the newsletter at www.vox.com/borders-email. I'll be asking for video ideas, feedback on the project, and answering questions as it unfolds.

-Johnny

[ligita]

Look at that subtle coloring. The tasteful thickness.

[cherryslat]

Next episode: I forgot the bring my anime body pillow to Japan, big mistake

[andrewkovnat]

I wonder what Japan's buildings would look like with adblock.

[Nkanyiso_K]

*What you're describing is literally the scene from AMERICAN PSYCHO*

*"Look at that subtle off white coloring.*
*The tasteful thickness of it.*
*OH MY GOD, IT Even has a WATERMARK."*

[BlackMethane]

No business cards?!? Dishonor!! dishonor to your family dishonor to your cow.

[terrymai]

Vox doesn't use Metric in their videos. Big mistake.

[h.a.]

Next Episode: I brought my laptop to the border. Big mistake.

[antagonistictherapy]

Those cards looked flimsy and cheap coming out of that machine. You get what you pay for I guess.

[Chris-bier]

My business was bought by a large Japanese company and the first thing we were taught as part of the transition: business card etiquette. Present the card with two hands, writing facing them, slight bow, receive their card, bow again, read both sides intently, never write on it, don’t shove it in your pocket. Basically treat it like they just gave you a grand.

[MrBledi]

1:24 Genius!!!
Look at the O at the Borders logo, look how perfectly centred it is!!
Speechles!

[RoboBoddicker]

You like that? Got it out of the vending machine yesterday. That's Bone. And the lettering is something called Cyllian Braille.

[CarlosEduardodeMeloRodovalho]

I'm sure that there's some king of discrimination when you show your machine made business card .. they're all like "um ... this design is not unique, what a shame ..."

I like the design you made on your emergency business cards, though =)

[Sueloveschoc]

This is so true... I remember walking into a Japanese meeting and everybody in the agency had a business card and I didn’t (I was part of the client team). I was so embarrassed. Only sales people tend to have business cards in North America and that’s also becoming rare. People just check you out on LinkedIn or your email signature.

[pkpk-jwyu]

love this format, looking forward to the rest of the series

[SuperbusQuartus]

This is exactly what I want to watch!! :D
Overall a short and sweet video, but I learn something really cool, get to see a real-life part of another culture or country, and it makes me want to watch more updates and videos from the guy.

[Winterseeker]

The footage is absolutely perfect, the story-telling, succinct. Keep up the great work!

[jaseneffendy]

Vox is just one of those channels with consistent content every time.


I'm still waiting for that Vox Pop video though.

[clayswackhamer]

Actually pretty resourceful to observe the Japanese custom of business cards, then design and print some using the Japanese custom of vending machines

[steamknife]

It's a norm in East Asia, not just Japan. You give out your business cards and bow slightly to show your appreciation. You know, being humble and pleasant.