When I was 16 I had a chance to meet a very prominant person in my community. The first thing I did was say hello and put my hand out for him to shake. Instead of shaking my hand he says "I don't shake the hands of women."
2006-08-25 08:48:21 · 39 answers · asked by pumpmar 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
yes as much as i wanted to punch him or spit on him, that would have only given him the satisfaction of knowing that he was right, conducting myself in a calm and uncaring manner is much better revenge...i'll get him later anyways
2006-08-25 09:53:57 · update #1
Very rude!!
2006-08-25 08:51:48 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only you can decide if it is rude. Only you can decide what is offensive. You can't feel a certain way just by getting opinions. Personally, I think people are too uptight and too easily offended. It used to be my right as an American born citizen protected by the constituiton to be able to OFFEND SOMEONE. Not that way anymore, we have the so called "hate speech" laws now. "We can say anything we want, but just watch what we say and who we say it to". To answer your question, if you felt it was rude, it was rude. If you felt offended, than it was offensive. This is the most logical answer when you REALLY sit and think about it.
If someone didn't want to shake my hand, I might think they have a germ phobia or that this is a cultural diffrence because of where they may come from or may be an environmental factor or how they were raised, bottom line, it wouldn't really bother me. I mean, I wouldn't loose any sleep over it.
If this info helped you, please be so kind and vote my answer the BEST!!
2006-08-25 09:03:00 · answer #2 · answered by tech4u2_2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A couple of questions.
A. Are you a woman? If you were a man that would have been REALLY rude.
B. Was it a compliment? Being 16, he considered you a woman.
C. Was he really old? Traditionally women did not begin shaking hands until the 50's or 60's. Even now it is improper for a man to offer a hand to a woman, the woman needs to offer her hand first.
2006-08-25 08:57:06 · answer #3 · answered by cirestan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Holy rude, Batman!
Did you ever find out why he did this? I mean our first thought is that he's just a jackass and he probably thinks women aren't worthy enough to shake hands with...
Or it's possible maybe he feels it's disrespectful to women- in which case he's being a nice guy. It might seem silly, but if he's from a different culture, it's quite possible. Every culture has its own customs!
2006-08-25 08:55:04 · answer #4 · answered by Ashlee S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes that was rude. This person obviously thinks that he or she is superior to others. There is no such thing, we are all equal. You could have said "I'm sorry about that. I thought that men and women were equal, but obviously I can now see they're not to everyone, especially bigots like you. What a sad life you must lead. I feel sorry for you." Then you turn and walk away without giving him a chance to reply. Ensure it is said loud enough for all to hear.
2006-08-25 09:16:05 · answer #5 · answered by quatt47 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did he give a reason why? Is from some place where they don't do that? Was he sick and scared of germs?
If he was a typical American then that was definately rude and I can't begin to understand why he would have so prominent a social standing in your community.
2006-08-25 09:25:45 · answer #6 · answered by Think.for.your.self 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not necessarily rude but indeed odd. The extension of the hand to shake was indicative to another person that he/she had come in peace and was unarmed. Contemporary handshakes are customary for politeness. Some people are germaphobic and wouldn't dare touch another hand. So there are a lot of things to consider but overall I view it as strange if someone doesn't want to shake my hand. In fact, I view it as a poor beginning to a friendship.
2006-08-25 08:54:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
very rude and uncalled for especially around someone who was 16. He needs to learn manners and cultures of others.
2006-08-25 08:54:19 · answer #8 · answered by Sky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the United States that behavior would be considered horribly rude.
2006-08-25 08:54:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is this person prominant because he's an idiot? This goes way past being rude.
2006-08-25 09:54:21 · answer #10 · answered by Starscape 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow yeah that was very rude! I would have punched him in the face!....ok not really but I would have wanted to!
2006-08-25 08:53:53 · answer #11 · answered by BeC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋