Things that matter more then money
Critics slapped Bill Gates' one-handed shake with the South Korean president in April as rude and culturally insensitive, but Mark Zuckerberg charmed the public here Tuesday with proper attire and a handshake, a slight bow included.
The Facebook CEO, 29, known for his signature zip-front hoodie and jeans, met with President Park Geun-hye to discuss South Korea's plans to raise employment by fostering start-up and venture companies.
But issues aside, the public and media here were more focused on how Zuckerberg would extent a hand for the introduction.
Gates, 57, had shocked people here by extending a single hand and keeping the other tucked in his pocket, jacket unbuttoned. The Microsoft chairman might not have realized it, but such body language is considered rude in Asian culture, done when one is expressing superiority to the other.
South Korean TV news aired stories comparing Gates, Zuckerberg, and Google CEO Larry Page, who also visited in April, on how these high-tech global gurus differ in wardrobe and public-etiquette skills. The culturally sensitive winner by far was Zuckerberg, who dressed in a black business suit complete with a taupe tie.
Although he offered one hand for the shake with the 61-year-old Park - whereas Page, 40, offered both, the proper way - Zuckerberg's slight bow is considered respectful to someone more than twice his age.
It hit the right spot.....
I think it does not matter at all. People , especially those not involved, make too much of it.
A well-known person like bill gates, he should know these things.
Well... in body language that shows You are an arrogant rude person!!
I don't think Bill Is!
I remember the amount of money he has donated/raised to help immunize children throughout the world. Give the guy a break. He is better than 100 politicians--and I'm not talking about net worth.
My guess is he was told etiquette required him to shake with one hand, and to not make a mistake he put his other hand in his pocket and unwittingly came across as rude.
Thelonius - Yeah agreed the guy does not give a sh*t but it clearly shows what a sh*tty old man he is and how he has been brought up. He may have a lot of money and I suppose its his money talking rather then his brains
He does have the look on his face of a dirty old man...
I think Bill Gates has the other hand on his c......
If you look at the ages though, Bill Gates is shaking with the correct hand, as he's younger than the President of South Korea. However, keeping his hand in his pocket is quite rude.
Understanding cultural sensitivities is important and shows that you care
I never figured that one out. I think you're just supposed to know.
It's not about superiority, it's about age. In South Korea if you are older than the person you are greeting, you greet them with a 2 handed shake, if you are younger you greet them with a one handed shake. It goes with pouring drinks or handing someone something as well.