| "You can't shake hands with a clenched fist." | | | | substituted. |
| | | | |
| - Indira Gandhi | | | | * In Europe you shake hands whenever you meet |
| | | | someone even if you know them well. |
| The most significant gesture in business and | | | | |
| in life is a handshake. In many cultures it | | | | * Russians tend to shake hands frequently but |
| is the unspoken message that accompanies our | | | | never while wearing gloves. |
| words. A handshake often takes place when | | | | |
| you meet someone new, when you are greeting | | | | * A strong handshake and good grip are |
| someone you haven't seen in a while, when you | | | | appreciated in South Africa. |
| leave a party or meeting, when you offer | | | | |
| congratulations or when you agree on a | | | | * A vigorous, pumping handshake is normal for |
| contract or working arrangement. | | | | the Chinese. |
| | | | |
| Historians agree that the handshake was most | | | | * Men in Arabian cultures encourage a long |
| likely developed several hundred years ago in | | | | and limp handshake along with a specific |
| England as a method to communicate that you | | | | verbal greeting. |
| were empty-handed and unarmed during a | | | | |
| meeting. Weapons were often concealed in the | | | | * People in Panama greet each other with eye |
| left sleeve so shaking was done with the left | | | | contact combined with shaking hands. |
| hand. As more people began to travel without | | | | |
| weapons it became common to shake with the | | | | * The French always shake hands in business |
| right hand. Certain historical figures took | | | | meetings but all other greetings involve |
| liberty with shaking hands and created their | | | | kissing the cheeks. |
| own custom. George Washington decided that | | | | |
| shaking hands was for the common people so he | | | | * In Kuwait shaking hands is only used for |
| bowed when greeting people in public. | | | | male strangers who meet the first time. |
| | | | Shaking hands with an unrelated female is |
| The intent in shaking hands is to make | | | | considered inappropriate. |
| contact "web-to-web" with the other person's | | | | |
| hand. The web of your hand is that part | | | | * Residents of Indian and Pakistan shake |
| between your thumb and forefinger. Extend | | | | hands by grasping your hand in both of their |
| your hand with your fingers together, in a | | | | hands and holding your hand briefly. |
| vertical position, with the thumb up and | | | | |
| slightly to the side. Once you make contact | | | | It is considered impolite to refuse to shake |
| with the web of the other person's hand, | | | | hands but be prepared in case you meet |
| close your thumb over the back of the hand | | | | someone who says "No" to handshakes because |
| and give a slight squeeze with your | | | | of arthritis, joint problems or a |
| fingertips. Here's where so many people go | | | | communicable illness such as a cold. The |
| wrong. Some move in for the kill and give a | | | | person who is unable to shake hands should |
| bone-crushing handshake that brings tears to | | | | always offer an apology and a brief |
| the eyes of the other person. Then there are | | | | explanation so that the other person does not |
| those who stop at the first hint of contact | | | | feel shunned. |
| and never add the little squeeze that | | | | |
| indicates there is life and energy in the | | | | You may occasionally encounter someone who |
| body. The result is the "wimpy" or "limp" | | | | does not respond in any way to your |
| handshake, sometimes referred to as the "dead | | | | outstretched hand. When that happens, simply |
| fish." | | | | withdraw your hand and ignore the snub. It's |
| | | | the other person's problem, not yours. |
| Every country in the world has its own | | | | |
| customs for meeting and greeting. Most | | | | Knowing when and how to shake hands is an |
| cultures encourage handshaking more often | | | | important business skill whether you are |
| than the United States. As always, you need | | | | working in your own office or if you are |
| to do your research on meeting and greeting | | | | traveling to a meeting 5,000 miles away. |
| before you embark on an overseas trip. If | | | | Always give the impression of someone who is |
| you are a woman, this is critically important | | | | polite and confident by cultivating a firm, |
| since certain cultures do not allow women to | | | | but not crushing, grip and always offer your |
| touch a man who is not related to them. | | | | hand when appropriate. |
| | | | |
| Here are some of the most common handshaking | | | | (c) 2007, Lydia Ramsey, Inc. All rights |
| rituals around the world: | | | | reserved. Reprint rights granted so long as |
| | | | article and by-line are published intact and |
| * In Japan it is normal to shake hands | | | | with all links made live. |
| frequently. Sometimes a bow is included or | | | | |