Some Europeans think Americans are rude. Americans always take their gloves off:
“All you need to know is that there was a ‘before 9/11’ and there was an ‘after 9/11.’ After 9/11, the gloves came off.”
said Cofer Black, ex-counter-terrorism chief at the C.I.A., about interrogation of suspects.
During the election campaign gloves came off too. "Bush Takes Off The Gloves" reports CBS and "Kerry Takes Off Gloves" says the Washington post.
Even ladies do it. In her new job as SecState "Rice Takes Off Gloves" remarks Rush Limbaugh. A lot of mano a mano happening in the States.
To take off the gloves is the rude American way, some Europeans may think. G.W. discussed this with Laura before landing in U.S. friendly Slovakia.
And they decided not to be rude, to behave more European and to keep the gloves on.
While greeting President Ivan Gasparovic and Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda after landing in Bratislava, G.W. shook hands with them – with black leather gloves on. His gentle gloved hands also greeted the President’s and the Prime Minister’s wives.
Laura Bush also refused to be rude and kept the gloves on her manos while greeting the assembled dignitaries.
Rude behavior is reserved for more business-like relations – like with "good cowboy" Chirac or with Schroeder. Dan Froomkin’s First Name Watch:
Bush continues to publicly greet his fellow leaders by their first name — and they continue not to reciprocate.
That is rude, really rude of them! But Slovakians are friends, the Bush family thinks. It’s not just business with them, and Business Etiquette For Dummies does not apply. At least not for the Bushies.
For us dummies to remember:
If you’re wearing gloves as part of formal attire, always remove them before shaking hands (the same goes for wearing gloves outdoors — you should take them off, unless the temperature is bitterly cold).
Shame on them, maybe it will work.