So I finally got involved in the ritual that happens any
time you meet pretty much anyone you’ve never met before, at any time, in any
circumstance. It was reaching the point of being genuinely embarrassing that I was
unable to do it. The look of bewilderment, disdain and almost disgust I got
when I could not participate, it was like the equivalent of someone putting out
their hand in greeting in the UK and my responding by jumping up and down
blowing raspberries.
I refer of course to the ‘Chinese handshake’, of exchanging
business cards. With the entire world. I had to go and get some printed up for
myself, despite not having a job to put on it or work for a business, so that when
trying to network for career purposes I had something to hand over.
As you can see here, the way you do this in China/HK is to
hand it over with both of your hands at once (and possibly even a very small
bow), with your name facing them. I
learned today that the reason for this two-handed gesture is to reassure the
recipient of the card that you aren’t going to use your free hand to stab them
while they look at our fascinating card. When on the receiving end, you have to
also take it with two hands and look at it for a few seconds like it is the
most interesting thing you have ever seen.
You can all expect to get one when you come visit…
I've heard about this! Big in Japan too. Apparently the more senior the giver, the longer you have to weigh it in your hands.
ReplyDeleteOn the upside the near blank card has an air of intrigue, as in What? You think I need to explain myself?
I wish you'd put something like 'international man of mystery' on it - that would have been hilarious.
ReplyDeletep.s. I am aware that I owe you an email! x