https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/30/business/business-travel-beware-of-green-hats-in-china-and-other-cross-cultural-faux-pas.html

>BUSINESS TRAVEL; Beware of Green Hats in China and Other Cross-Cultural Faux Pas

>By CRAIG S. SMITHAPRIL 30, 2002

>A Washington State agriculture official who was touring China a few years ago handed out bright green baseball caps at every stop without noticing that none of the men would put them on or that all the women were giggling.

Finally, a Chinese-American in the delegation took the man aside and informed him that to wear a green hat is the Chinese symbol of a cuckold.

>It is the bane of the business traveler in an unfamiliar culture: making a comment or gesture that is meant to be friendly but that offends or embarrasses the hosts. Mocking a man's masculinity is only one of the inadvertent slights that visiting corporate executives and government officials can make in China that serve to emphasize the cultural gaps they are trying hard to minimize.

>Happily, such cross-cultural faux pas are no longer deal killers. Globalization has narrowed the cultural divide, and these days the Chinese are experienced enough in dealing with foreigners to shrug off indiscretions. Even stabbing chopsticks into a bowl of rice and leaving them there (an act of hostility among Chinese because it signifies death) would be laughed off (nervously) by locals unless it was done with obvious intent. What really matters is a friendly attitude and a patient manner.

>Even so, the worst gaffes still leave a bad impression and the right gestures still earn respect.

Just a coincidence?