There was even a time you could borrow/lend money at a bank with just a hand shake; It was considered a binding contract.
Today it has been deducted to a simple business formality that is often photographed but apart from the business world a handshake displays friendliness, hospitality and trust. It even has been an expression of equality.
I am appalled at how many young people today do not seem to have a clue as to how to shake hands.
Sometimes men tend to give a woman the limp noodle handshake....yuck! and the worst offence.....not looking me in the eye.
Here is handshake 101:
keep the fingers together with the thumb up and open
slide your hand into the other person's so that each person's web of skin between thumb and forefingers touches the other's
squeeze firmly.
A proper handshake:
is firm, but not bone-crushing
lasts about 3 seconds
may be "pumped" once or twice from the elbow
is released after the shake, even if the introduction continues
includes good eye contact with the other person
Extend a hand when:
meeting someone for the first time
meeting someone you haven't seen for a while
greeting your host(ess)
greeting guests
saying good-bye to people at a gathering
someone else extends a hand
So how about you?
Are you comfortable with handshaking?
Does it have special meaning to you?
Have you ever practiced shaking hands with someone?
10 comments:
G'morning Changes :)
Back in '70 I was passed over for a coveted position because my handshake was lacking and I didn't make eye-contact. (Simply, I was incredibly bashful, no doubt with sweaty palms!)
Thank goodness, he later had the candor to share his reasons for not selecting me.
That's a lesson I've never forgotten!
I have also heard that you should not extend your hand to a woman is clearly older than you. You should wait for her to extend her hand first.
I would add a rule that persons who are hand shakers should carry Purell Hand Sanitizer.
Fist bumps are horrible!!! A good firm handshake is binding. Hugs from strangers are awful! I will arrive late and leave early at church to avoid hugs.
I tried for years to master the perfect handshake. I know I never did!
I had a tiny, woman boss once who had the perfect handshake. Businessmen sometimes commented on it. It seemed to be an extension of her forceful, no-nonsense personality, and though I tried to duplicate it, I never could. Perhaps because of my not tinyness and often nonsensical personality!
I once made a huge booboo by offering my hand to a young man I had just been introduced to, and then finding to my horror that he had been born without a right hand! He offered his left hand, and we shook, but I was left with a very red face.
Uum not sure if I make eye contact or not but I hate limp handshakes, they are obviously really not interested in the meeting really.
I still enjoy shaking hands although I guess "bumping" is considered more sanitary now. To be perfectly honest, I sneak off and wash after a hand shaking session - but I'm weird - as those who know me will agree:)
I love to shake hands because it lets me 'feel' what the other person is 'really feeling or saying'.
(I also wash my hands a lot too! Lol)
Shaking hands in Church during the Peace is a wonderful feeling and I do shake hands if I barely know you but watch out I am a hugger and once you get to know me, well here I come with both arms opened wide. Peace
Shaking hands in Church during the Peace is a wonderful feeling and I do shake hands if I barely know you but watch out I am a hugger and once you get to know me, well here I come with both arms opened wide. Peace
I shudder inwardly when someone wants to shake my hand. I very much dislike touching people I don't know really well.
by the way thanks for the compliment on the gowns I made (over on 25 things).
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