If the meeting room has a large central table, the principal guest is likely to be seated directly opposite the principal host. When exchanging business cards, hold out your card with your right hand with the writing facing the recipient. Receive a business card with both hands and scan it immediately for the vital information. Then lay the card in front of you during that first meeting. It is demeaning to put someone's card directly into your pocket without looking at it first.
Meetings begin with small talk.
Resist the temptation to get down to business right away. Avoid telling American-style jokes, because jokes sometimes do not translate across cultures and can cause confusion or hurt feelings. At a formal banquet, be prepared to give a short, friendly speech in response to the host's speech. When invited for dinner, it is polite to sample every dish served. Your host may serve some food for you, and it is nice to reciprocate if you feel comfortable doing so.