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Originally Posted by C Elegans <snip>
I think many westerners who read the above report from BBC erranously will get the impression that the refusal to shake hands with the Belgian senate president had something to do with gender discrimination. Now, I don't know these particular Irani diplomats, but I do not think it was more rude of them to refuse to adapt to European custums, than it was of the Belgians to try to impose the said custums on the Irani. In fact, one would think that international politicians would be educated about different cultures and know that the koran says Muhammed never shook hands with women that was not his relatives.
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Actually - it is rude.
Just like it would be rude if westerns doing buisness in for instance in Japan did not bow to their japaneese counterparts, instead of offer the hand, which is as I understand it how they greet each other. (Well - maybe they do shake hands now, and my knowlegde is outdated, but the exampel still stands).
It is about respect for the hosts customs, which the visitor should show, in my personal view/opinion but also from a diplomatic and buisness viewpoint.
It is basically "Negotion 101"