Callaway: A Guide to 'Davos-Speak'

DAVOS, Switzerland — "How is your Davos?"

It took less than a half day before I heard the flesh-crawling greeting for the first time, a traditional salutation among the monied masses at the World Economic Forum.

Since everybody is meeting different people and attending a variety of panels, discussions and parties, it is a simple way of gauging whether an acquaintance is having a more productive - or fun - time than you.

The traditional reply is an exhausted shrug and a grunt meant to indicate that you are unbearably busy and working like a dog, despite being seen after midnight at the piano bar at the Hotel Europe. This is followed by name-dropping the most glittering celebrity or world leader you have seen that day, to reflect the rarified circles you operate in.

Amid turmoil, world leaders bail on Davos

While "Davos Man" is the nickname given to the globalization enthusiasts who trek here each year, it is rarely used at the conference. This despite the fact that the "man" part is disturbingly accurate, with only one in five or six attendees a woman.

"I'm struck by how many of the meetings have only one or two women," said Zanny Minton Beddoes, the new – and first female – editor of The Economist, as we prepared to discuss the oil crisis on a morning Reuters television show. "Pretty much all men."

Davos 2016: Highlights of our coverage

Davos Man can be identified by a kind of lethargic shuffling motion, a slumping dark suit under an equally dark parka, through the snow-covered streets. In another place, one might mistake him for a Yeti. But here, he is more likely a CEO, or a central banker.

Another oft-heard saying involves the words "long-term." This is code at Davos for the freaking markets are crushing my company's shares right now and there is nothing I can do about it from this godforsaken ski resort.

Davos frequently takes place against the backdrop of a markets crisis, and the plunge of 2016 came right on time this year. But instead of pulling their hair out over the flashing red stock quotes on their laptops in the sparse Alpine hotel rooms, attendees simply profess that they are here to discuss long-term strategies.

Three years, five years. Even up to 10 years. Of course, as John Maynard Keynes, the most famous economist who never attended Davos, said: "In the long run, we are all dead."

Davos notes: Biden cancer role grabs spotlight

Finally, despite the brilliant winter surroundings of the Swiss Alps, any talk of play at Davos is strictly forbidden. Even with most nights spent hoofing from reception to reception, glass of Chateauneuf-du-Pape in hand, few attendees are willing to discuss any recreational activities.

USA TODAY asked several CEOs if they planned any fun while they are here. Most said they had wall to wall meetings. Dennis Nally of PwC, the global accounting and consulting company, said this is his "busiest week of the year."

Others said they were here to learn. One admitted she might do some shopping, and another, who would not say it on the record, admitted he planned to ski this weekend.

Then he quickly added: Don't tell his shareholders.