Oops.

I have a knack for unintentionally offending people.

Like the time I asked my neighbor why there was a moving truck outside of his house recently.

"My wife left me."

Oops.

Or when I asked my roomate, Mellissa, whether her guy friend was gay.

"We're dating."

Oops.

So it was really no suprise to me that on Thursday when Lisa Bailey, executive director of the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce, was describing the proper etiquette in Chinese culture when exchanging business cards that I violated every single rule.

"When you are handed a business card, they will give it to you with both hands and hold it with their thumbs. You should then receive it then same way. Don't shove it in your pocket or immediately put it away. And don't write on it."

I wish I would've known that a day earlier. On Wednesday, at the start of an interview with Robin Hu, a Irwindale business owner, he presented me with his card. Right when I got it, I snagged it with my right hand, held it in between my index and middle fingers, wrote down a couple of notes on it, and then stuck it in my wallet.

Oops.

You can't take me anywhere.

I've been working on this story about Chambers of Commerce and the different ways they do - or don't - reach out to their Asian business owners. I was talking to one Chamber of Commerce executive director, and she told me that there are some tips she learned while on a trip to China.