Am I the lone ranger in being concerned that President Obama continues to mix up Business and Social Etiquette both domestically and abroad? Today, during my Morning Joe fix, I noted several references to our President's "handshake diplomacy," referring to if the President should have shaken the hands of Chavez and Ortega after they overtly diss'ed our country. Spokesman Josh Earnest responded to the press that President Obama was just being "mannerly" and I'm sure that this was the intent. However, the types of handshakes and "chivalrous" behavior can be viewed as inappropriate, confusing, and potentially offensive to global hosts.
"We're cool" and awkward handshakes aside, pulling out the chair for Chili's first female President, Michelle Brachelet, during the official dinner at the Summit of the Americas on Saturday night was potentially insulting to President Brachelet. In business, gender is neutral which means that "chivalrous" behavior has no place in professional interactions. In this arena, men and women are treated with the same respect and deference, no more, no less. So far, the French press has negatively referred to President Obama's behavior toward Brachelet as "full mode boy scout." Certainly, some woman responded negatively after Candidate Obama pulled out Hilary Clinton's chair at their debate, but it remains to be seen who else picks up on this most recent series of etiquette breaches.
Bottom line, as I've said before, I wish that our President would appoint a dynamic Chief of Protocol asap! I worry about the subliminal and collateral messages that some of his nonverbal behavior risks conveying and wish to see Barack Obama viewed by other world leaders as a strong, direct, and globally sensitive Commander in Chief.
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