Ever stopped to wonder why we shake hands when making a business deal? Or why we all (begrudgingly) follow the 9-to-5 work schedule? Many of our everyday business traditions have some pretty weird and unexpected origins.

At LanguageWize, we love helping professionals master global English, but we also enjoy digging into the fascinating history behind workplace norms. So, let’s take a look at the strange and surprising origins of some of the most common business customs.

The Handshake: From “Are You Armed?” to “Nice Doing Business with You”

Shaking hands is one of the most universal gestures in business. Whether you’re sealing a million-dollar deal or just meeting a new colleague, a firm handshake is considered a sign of professionalism, respect, and trust.

But originally, it wasn’t about trust – it was about self-defence.

• In ancient Greece, people extended their right hand to show they weren’t holding a weapon. If the other person also offered an empty hand, it meant, “Hey, I’m not going to stab you. Let’s talk.”

• Later, in medieval Europe, knights would shake hands vigorously to dislodge hidden weapons – because, apparently, daggers up the sleeve were a thing.

• By the 18th century, Quakers used handshakes instead of bowing because they believed in equality – a handshake put everyone on the same level.

The business handshake we use today evolved from these old traditions, shifting from “I come in peace” to “Let’s make a deal.”

Takeaway: The next time you shake someone’s hand, just be grateful you’re not checking them for hidden weapons!

The 9-to-5 Workday: You Can Thank Factories for This One

The classic 9-to-5 work schedule has been around for so long that most of us don’t question it. But why is eight hours the magic number for a workday?

• Before the Industrial Revolution, people didn’t have fixed working hours. Farmers worked sunrise to sunset, while craftsmen worked until the job was done.

• Enter the factory system in the 19th century – where workers were pushed to the limit with 12 to 16-hour shifts.

• In 1914, Henry Ford (yes, the car guy) decided to introduce an eight-hour workday for his employees. Not because he was being generous, but because he realized overworked employees were less productive.

• The idea spread, and by 1938, the U.S. government officially made the 40-hour workweek standard under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The irony? The 9-to-5 was meant to be a progressive idea for work-life balance – but today, most of us feel like we’re working around the clock anyway.

Takeaway: If Ford had decided on a 10-to-6 schedule instead, we might all be living a very different reality.

Business Cards: From Status Symbol to Networking Tool

Today, a business card is a simple way to share your contact details, but it started as a high-society power move.

• In 17th-century Europe, the wealthy carried “calling cards” – small, elegant cards engraved with their name and family crest. They were used to announce one’s arrival at a social event (because just showing up unannounced was too low-class).

• In 19th-century Japan, “meishi” (名刺) became an essential part of business culture, with strict etiquette – how you present and receive a card still matters today.

• By the 20th century, business cards became the norm worldwide, evolving from a status symbol to a networking tool.

Today, digital networking is taking over, but in many cultures, business cards are still a must-have.

Takeaway: If you think a flashy business card will impress someone, imagine how people felt in the 1600s when a nobleman pulled out a card with golden calligraphy.

Business Attire: The Suit and Tie Had Some Strange Beginnings

Business suits have been the standard for professionalism for over a century. But why?

• In the 1600s, England’s King Charles II forced noblemen to wear long coats and waistcoats instead of the flashy outfits they loved. He thought modest clothing would make the upper class seem less arrogant.

• By the 1800s, the long-tailed coats turned into modern-day suits, thanks to the British and French upper class.

• The necktie? That came from Croatian mercenaries in the 17th century, who wore knotted scarves as part of their military uniforms. The French saw this and thought, “Très chic!” – and the cravat (which later became the modern tie) was born.

Today, the suit is still seen as a symbol of authority, but many companies are ditching it in favour of more casual dress codes.

Takeaway: The next time you struggle with your tie, blame a Croatian soldier from 400 years ago.

Why Do Offices Have Cubicles? Because of One (Very Disappointed) Designer

Most people assume cubicles were created to keep employees focused and organized. But they were actually designed to give workers more freedom – which makes their current reputation a bit ironic.

• In the 1960s, designer Robert Propst created the “Action Office” concept, a flexible workspace with open desks, walls, and freedom to move.

• But businesses decided they didn’t want too much “freedom” in the workplace – so they turned Propst’s design into boxed-in cubicles to save space and money.

• Propst later called cubicles “monolithic insanity” – probably because he never meant for them to look like tiny office prisons.

Now, open-plan offices are making a comeback – but let’s be honest, they have their own problems.

Takeaway: If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cubicle, know that even the guy who designed them regretted it.

Business as Usual… or Business as Bizarre?

We go through our workdays following these traditions without thinking about where they came from. But behind every handshake, every business card, and every soul-crushing cubicle, there’s a weird and unexpected history.

At LanguageWize, we love exploring the fascinating quirks of global business culture – and helping professionals communicate confidently in English while doing so.

Get in touch today and join us on the journey!

Heidi Nel

07 April 2025