| "You can't shake hands with a clenched fist." | | | | Here are some of the most common handshaking |
| - Indira Gandhi | | | | rituals around the world: |
| The most significant gesture in business and in life | | | | * In Japan it is normal to shake hands frequently. |
| is a handshake. In many cultures it is the | | | | Sometimes a bow is included or substituted. |
| unspoken message that accompanies our words. | | | | * In Europe you shake hands whenever you |
| A handshake often takes place when you meet | | | | meet someone even if you know them well. |
| someone new, when you are greeting someone | | | | * Russians tend to shake hands frequently but |
| you haven't seen in a while, when you leave a | | | | never while wearing gloves. |
| party or meeting, when you offer congratulations | | | | * A strong handshake and good grip are |
| or when you agree on a contract or working | | | | appreciated in South Africa. |
| arrangement. | | | | * A vigorous, pumping handshake is normal for |
| Historians agree that the handshake was most | | | | the Chinese. |
| likely developed several hundred years ago in | | | | * Men in Arabian cultures encourage a long and |
| England as a method to communicate that you | | | | limp handshake along with a specific verbal |
| were empty-handed and unarmed during a | | | | greeting. |
| 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 | | | | * The French always shake hands in business |
| weapons it became common to shake with the | | | | meetings but all other greetings involve kissing the |
| right hand. Certain historical figures took liberty | | | | cheeks. |
| with shaking hands and created their own custom. | | | | * In Kuwait shaking hands is only used for male |
| George Washington decided that shaking hands | | | | strangers who meet the first time. Shaking hands |
| was for the common people so he bowed when | | | | with an unrelated female is considered |
| greeting people in public. | | | | inappropriate. |
| The intent in shaking hands is to make contact | | | | * Residents of Indian and Pakistan shake hands |
| "web-to-web" with the other person's hand. The | | | | by grasping your hand in both of their hands and |
| web of your hand is that part between your | | | | holding your hand briefly. |
| thumb and forefinger. Extend your hand with your | | | | It is considered impolite to refuse to shake hands |
| fingers together, in a vertical position, with the | | | | but be prepared in case you meet someone who |
| thumb up and slightly to the side. Once you make | | | | says "No" to handshakes because of arthritis, joint |
| contact with the web of the other person's hand, | | | | problems or a communicable illness such as a cold. |
| close your thumb over the back of the hand and | | | | The person who is unable to shake hands should |
| give a slight squeeze with your fingertips. Here's | | | | always offer an apology and a brief explanation |
| where so many people go wrong. Some move in | | | | so that the other person does not feel shunned. |
| for the kill and give a bone-crushing handshake | | | | You may occasionally encounter someone who |
| that brings tears to the eyes of the other person. | | | | does not respond in any way to your |
| Then there are those who stop at the first hint | | | | outstretched hand. When that happens, simply |
| of contact and never add the little squeeze that | | | | withdraw your hand and ignore the snub. It's the |
| indicates there is life and energy in the body. The | | | | other person's problem, not yours. |
| result is the "wimpy" or "limp" handshake, | | | | Knowing when and how to shake hands is an |
| sometimes referred to as the "dead fish." | | | | important business skill whether you are working |
| Every country in the world has its own customs | | | | in your own office or if you are traveling to a |
| for meeting and greeting. Most cultures encourage | | | | meeting 5,000 miles away. Always give the |
| handshaking more often than the United States. | | | | impression of someone who is polite and |
| As always, you need to do your research on | | | | confident by cultivating a firm, but not crushing, |
| meeting and greeting before you embark on an | | | | grip and always offer your hand when |
| overseas trip. If you are a woman, this is critically | | | | appropriate. |
| important since certain cultures do not allow | | | | (c) 2007, Lydia Ramsey, Inc. All rights reserved. |
| women to touch a man who is not related to | | | | Reprint rights granted so long as article and by-line |
| them. | | | | are published intact and with all links made live. |