Shirt pocket genesis?

[Malruhn]

I was just told that the reason that shirt pockets were "invented" was so that when you receive a business card from someone, you could put it away - and "keep it close to your heart."

Alternatively, it is horribly rude to put said business card in your rear pants pocket, as you are telling them that you figuratively wipe your bottom with them.

This was related to me as having to do with the Japanese culture - but the guy didn't seem to know why.

Any help?

[Beachlife!]

Seems to me that the shirt pocket predates the era of Japanese influence over western business dealings.

[diddy]

More than likely they were invented to hold cigarettes and predated the general usage of business cards

[Stoneage Dinosaur]

Shirt Pocket Genesis?

A prog rock fan's dream - their own mini Gabriel/Collins et al.

Serious reply: A very brief history of the pocket. Shirt pockets are just another place to store stuff, and don't business cards go straight into wallets anyway?

[BlushingBride]

In Japan, it's rude to put a business card in your pocket at all. Polity demands that the card be examined, and placed in front of you on the table or held while you are talking to the giver. When you part, you should place the card in a portfolio or business card holder. The idea is that you treat the card with the same respect you would give the person. (This is what I was taught by Japanese colleagues in Japan.)

So... probably not.

[snopes]

Originally Posted by Malruhn

I was just told that the reason that shirt pockets were "invented" was so that when you receive a business card from someone, you could put it away - and "keep it close to your heart."

Everybody knows (at least I thought everyone did) that shirt pockets were "invented" to create a market for the pocket protector industry.

- snopes