From the way some people tell it, you'd think meeting someone and not having a business card with you was worse than getting caught in a blizzard without a coat.

Exhibit A: From a recent story on the Career Intensity blog.

“I was in the supermarket picking up a few things when I ran into a guy I used to work with. He told me that he was just thinking of me because an account director position was open and he thought I would be perfect for it. We exchanged contact information (luckily I had some business cards on me)..."

Exhibit B: A college senior recently telling me about his worst recruiting experience.

"I met a recruiter at a career fair and asked for his card. He said he didn't have any with him, but he invited me to an interview. After the interview, I once again asked him for a business card. Again, he didn't have one. He said he would be in touch, and I've never heard from him again."

When did people get the idea that the only medium through which you're permitted to exchange contact information is a pre-printed business card? Awkward, self-imposed "rules" like this are what turned "networking" into a bad word.

Sure, when you go to a conference and expect to exchange contact information with a bunch of people in a very short time, it's very convenient to have cards at the ready. But that first guy was in a grocery store! Luckily I had some business cards on me? Lucky, why? Afraid you wouldn't remember how to write down your own name, phone number, and e-mail address?

Here's a two-step plan to recovering from not having a business card and impressing the heck out of those people who just wouldn't know what to do.

1. Get something to write with.

Are you carrying a pen? Great. No worries if you're not, though. Anywhere you buy stuff, there's probably a pen at the checkout for signing credit card receipts. At stores of the grocery and other varieties, they even sell pens. And contrary to another set-in-stone rule of the slick businessman, it doesn't have to be a Waterman. A Bic will get the job done.

2. Get something to write on.

Let's try to avoid using the moist, wrinkled receipts packed in your wallet. At restaurants, a fresh ticket from your waiter's order pad trumps the traditional napkin (less bleeding). If you're outside, walk to the corner and pick up a free, ad-riddled newspaper. Inside a grocery store, you have even more options -- buy a notepad or buy a box of candy to give 'em yet another reason to say Sweet! when you hand over your digits.

And while you're handcrafting this custom replacement card, why not add the note that your acquaintance should have taken down after a traditional exchange. In the grocery guy's case: "Call about Account Director position."

Now you'll never have to pass up a promising job opportunity, sales lead, or hot date because you didn't have a card on you. You'll just think: No business cards? No problem. Especially if you're in a post office. Or a Kinko's.

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