When you meet someone for the first time, you are given his name card as part of the greeting regardless of where you may be and whether the meeting is for business or not. The Japanese use of Meish is an extremely convenient device for modern life where one is always meeting new people. Memorizing many new names is really an impossiblity, and the Meishi is a good solution. Sometimes, especially on business, you may be asked, "May I have your Meishi?"
It is not a bad idea for you to order Meishi if you don't have them. The cost for 100 cards is 2,000 yen for one printing, and 4,000 yen for both sides.
Occasionally male customers at a bar are given a colorful, about half of normal size Meishi, by the hostess if she has any interest in you. Rented hostesses on a part-time basis at Japanese banquets do this also, so that the males can come and patronize their bar after the banquet is over.