Asian Business Etiquette: Shaking Hands - "The Non-Handshake" (Part 3)
By Angi Ma Wong

Last of the greeting is the non-handshake. This occurs when you extend your hand in greeting and the other person doesn't take it! You are caught feeling embarrassed and foolish with your hand in mid-air. Although international etiquette dictates that a man should not extend his hand until the lady does first, few of us these days are instructed in this manner. By watching the body language of the other person or those in a group, the alert businessperson can avoid this faux pas. Should a man or woman have his/hands joined together in front in the "fig-leaf" position, you may not get a response to your extended hand, or if you do, it may just be a nod of the head in greeting instead. If the hands are at a personas sides, you may get a handshake.

Next: Silence is Golden

1. Bowing
2. What If Someone Bows To You First?
3. Exchanging Business Cards (Part 1)
4. Exchanging Business Cards (Part 2)
5. Shaking Hands:- "The Grip" (Part 1)
6. Shaking Hands: "The Dead Fish" (Part 2)
7. Shaking Hands: "The Non-Handshake" (Part 3)
8. "Silence is Golden"