上班族必備軟實力

[Richard has his Chinese name on his chop.]

Ever since ancient times in China, little wooden stamps, called chops, have been used to indicate ownership and authority. The ink is usually red and when inked and pressed, it imprints on whatever document it is applied.

The chop is the Chinese equivalent of the American signature. Your bank will keep a record of the impression from your chop and if you try to use a different one, they will notice. You cannot fool them, because there are always little subtle differences in all chops--just like in a signature. Your transaction will not be processed until you have the correct chop. You can cry and scream all you want. Believe me, I have tried.

Some old chops of mine.

In olden times, rich and important people would put their chops on valuable paintings to claim ownership. Many old Chinese paintings have numerous imprints from their former owners. Art connoisseurs consider ancient chop imprints to be part of the artwork.

Anything important and official in Taiwan will require chops, especially if it involves money. At least you don’t have to carry an ink pad around. The clerk where you are conducting your business will most likely have one.

The word ‘chop’ comes from a language in India. It meant ‘seal’. It has nothing to do with the ‘chop’ from ‘chopsticks’, which is from Hong Kong, and means ‘hurry’. Most Americans know that ‘chop-chop’ means ‘hurry up’.

Don’t get me started on pork chops. Thank you for reading.