Everybody is somebody so who are you?

Everyone on this planet of ours has value whether we see it or not. Everyone has a tale, and everyone knows at least one thing we do not. The poet Emily Dickinson once wrote "I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you - Nobody - too?" Although it sounds quite harsh in its word selection, the poem serves to illustrate that we all have the feeling of being outsiders to some extent. Living in a big city like Tokyo where I quite noticeably don't fit in I can relate to that feeling. I may quite obviously be an outsider based on being gaijin (outside person, green eyed white devil in my case) but I Imagine many others here who are not gaijin may also feel that way from time to time. 
     In Japanese culture, when meeting people and allowing them into an circle of familiarity or acquaintance, it is important not only to know their name but also the company they work for, position, their age, and sometimes even where they come from. To outsiders of the Western variety this may seem to be somewhat intrusive. Akin to asking someone their net-worth, savings account & ATM pin number, underwear size, date of their last period, or how much they weigh! 
     But this is by no means the reason Japanese ask this question. Rather it is so that they can figure out what degree of honor and respect they need to show you. Make no mistake it will almost always be much above the one they assign their own, but they want to make sure you are given your due laud. But before you scoff at the idea of treating people differenntly you must admit there is a difference in the way you would greet a chum, a professor, a President, Queen Elizabeth or the Pope. Otherwise, the next time someone not in your usual circle of pals comes over to your house I dare you to not clean your home. 
     Japan is a very hierarchical structured society which can be quite different from the horizontal one most of us Westerners are used to. But it works here beautifully. Even among peers they like to ascertain who is the oldest, in order, down the line to the youngest so that everyone can find the harmony to interact comfortably with each other. This is part of the reason why their business cards have so much information on them and why almost everyone (save maybe children) have them. 
     When meeting someone it is customary to exchange these business cards called meishi so that people can easily remember each other's names and to which groups they belong. There is even a cultured practice in the way you exchange them in a group of people. Also, if you receive one, accept it with both hands if possible and do not put it directly into your pocket. Keep it where you can see it and treat it with respect.