Isabelle Daza Speaks Up About Calling Card Issue

Isabelle Daza is getting a lot of bashing from her recent post mocking Japanese culture in giving calling cards. She finally speaks up saying it was a private joke between her and her sister Ava.

Actress and model Isabelle is Georgina Wilson’s cousin as reported by ABS-CBN. Just recently, Georgina was also criticized for disrespecting Chinese culture. On July 24, Wilson posted on Instagram a photo of her, her sister, and cousin wearing a communist party souvenir hat posing in Tiananmen Square. This is the exact same spot where pro-democracy protesters died during the Tiananmen Square massacre.

How To Hand out Business Cards in Japanese Culture

A short video was posted on Isabelle Daza’s Instagram stories over the weekend. It shows Isabelle’s sister, Ava, handing her a calling card with both hands. Isabelle then receives the card, crumples it, and throws it back to her sister.  The video was captioned, “What I want to do when people hand me their calling cards like this.”

In a report by ABS-CBN, the actress-model explained that her post was a private joke. She said, “Well, it was a private joke that I did with my sister Ava. That’s basically it.” She went on to say that she gets annoyed when her sister does it because she’s not Japanese.

Netizens on Twitter started to call out Isabelle pointing out that what she did was disrespectful and that she should educate herself on Japanese culture when she has the time. Fashion blogger Tricia Gosingtian was just one of those who couldn’t help but comment on the issue. In her tweet, she said, “I have no words, please respect how other cultures show respect. Read up on Japanese meishi.”

Japanese Meishi or Japanese business cards is considered proper business etiquette in Japan. Japan Talk says how you deal with business cards gives a strong message about who you are as a professional. The Business Insider says cards have to be exchanged before engaging in business and have to be given and received with two hands. The card is an extension of the person you are meeting and how you deal with it will show if you respect the person giving it or not.

How to give and receive business cards in Japanese Culture. The exchange called meishi koukan is a formal introduction to the person. Michael Gakuran, a writer for a website for foreigners in Japan says there are rules during the exchange. This might help you in the future. Michael says first, the highest ranking person gives out

Michael says first, the highest ranking person gives out the business card first. Then, the cards must be given and received with two hands. Always make sure that the cards should be handed face-down to the receiver. Cards should be kept on display for the remainder of the interaction and should always be kept immaculate as possible.

These are just some pointers you should know. This controversy with Isabelle Daza making a private joke out of the Japanese way of receiving business cards allows us to learn from other’s mistakes.

Isabelle Dazal. Dazal lang talaga na may pag-asa pa sila. pic.twitter.com/FmQPgaPUa1

— Troye, si Van? (@peepaubau) July 29, 2017

I have no words! ? Please respect how other cultures show respect. Read up on Japanese meishi. https://t.co/0arM3JVHit

— Tricia (@tgosingtian) July 29, 2017