In 1992, 12 delegates from the Chinese government were tasked
with procuring a $30m biochemical equipment deal with an American
corporation. In order to please their purchasers from the East, and
as a token of appreciation, the Americans prepared a gift for each
of the delegates; the gift box was wrapped very nicely in red,
which represents prosperity, and was gratefully accepted by the
Chinese delegates.
But when the delegates immediately
opened the box as requested by the Americans, they found that the
gift was a green golf cap. No-one said a word. The Americans were
left with an empty space above the dotted line which said
"Purchaser". They were puzzled. Their intention was for
everyone to enjoy a game of golf after the long hard negotiation.
But had they known that the "green cap" (in fact, any
cap) symbolises "cuckold" in China, surely they would
have chosen a different gift.
