Even Japanese have difficulty using honorific expressions. For instance, when you get a phone call from a business saying, “Osoreirimasu ga, Suzuki kachou wa irrashaimasu ka” (Sorry to bother you, but is Section Chief Suzuki there?). Even if the section chief is your superior, it is not appropriate to say, “Suzuki kachou wa, tadaima dekakete irasshaimasu” (Section Chief Suzuki is out now). The appropriate reply would be, “Suzuki wa tadaima dekakete orimasu.” In business conversation the use of expressions changes according to your relationship with the person you’re talking to. You shouldn’t add “san” after his name, even if he’s your company’s president. He should be treated the same as an ordinary member of staff. In the event that the person referred to is a member of your company, you should use humble keigo regardless of their job tittle. When you speak to Section Chief Suzuki, you should address him using respectful keigo as he is your superior. Another example: You get an emergency call from the wife of Department Head Tanaka. “Tanaka no kanai de gozaimasu. Shujin wa orimasu deshou ka” (I’m Mr. Tanaka’s wife. Is my husband there?). Typically, you would reply, “Tadaima, buchou no Tanaka wa sekkyaku shite orimasu” (Department Head Tanaka is talking to a client at the moment). This reply would be appropriate if the call was from another business, but you should use respectful keigo with reference to Department Head Tanaka since it is a private call. The appropriate reply would be “Tadaima, Tanaka buchou wa sekkyaku nasatte imasu ga, otsutae itashimasu. Sukoshi omachi itadakemasu ka” (Now Department Head Tanaka is dealing with a client, but I will let him know (about your call). So could you wait a little while? In the case you have a private call from a person (other than business) to a member of your organization, you should use respectful keigo when you refer to the member.