Handshaking Abroad: Know What the First Lady Didn't
Now we know why our invite to Buckingham Palace keeps getting lost in the mail: First Lady Michelle Obama unwittingly exposed the British taboo against touching the queen, causing cultural critics to bemoan the end of friendship between both copies but ultimately resorting in nothing worse than a string of adorable photos.
The Obamas arrived in London this week bearing gifts (including an iPod for Her Majesty) and plans for the forthcoming G-20 Meeting. As the First Lady met the Queen, she curtsied, but then shook her hand firmly, a huge no-no. And later, when posing for pictures, she even touched the Queen. But soon enough they had their arms around each other's backs like old camp buddies, and other world leaders were jealous.
Is the take-away here that the Obamas, unlike most travelers, can do anything they want abroad and still be adored? Hardly; it only takes one disastrous state dinner to ruin his international face. But here's what Michelle Obama didn't do: Get flustered and over-apologize. Maybe she had words with the queen, but she treated her with the same warmth and grace that she treats everyone. And hey, at least it wasn't a fistbump moment again.
Still, we say you should always be prepared to know what's acceptable in terms of hand-shaking abroad and what's not--provided that you aren't meeting royalty or germaphobes.
WorkBloom has an extensive article on hand shaking and has listed several examples of how hand-shaking varies across cultures. Here are a few we liked:
· In Japan it is normal to shake hands frequently. Sometimes a bow is included or substituted.
· Russians tend to shake hands frequently but never while wearing gloves.
· A vigorous, pumping handshake is normal for the Chinese.
· Men in Arabian cultures encourage a long and limp handshake along with a specific verbal greeting.
· In Kuwait shaking hands is only used for male strangers who meet the first time. Shaking hands with an unrelated female is considered inappropriate.
· Residents of India and Pakistan shake hands by grasping your hand in both of their hands and holding your hand briefly.
And there you go. If all else fails and you find yourself utterly confused, don't do anything at all except for maybe a slight nod. It will save you from embarrassment and leave the other person wondering if they made a mistake.
Have any "strange" handshake or greetings stories from abroad? Share them with your fellow travelers below.
Related Stories:
· Michelle Obama charms queen away from protocol [AP]
· Shaking Hands Throughout History And Around The World [WorkBloom]
[Photo: The Caucus]
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