"You can't shake hands with a clenched fist."
- Indira Gandhi
The most significant gesture in business and in life is a handshake. In many cultures it is the unspoken message that accompanies our words. A handshake often takes place when you meet someone new, when you are greeting someone you haven't seen in a while, when you leave a party or meeting, when you offer congratulations or when you agree on a contract or working arrangement.
Historians agree that the handshake was most likely developed several hundred years ago in England as a method to communicate that you were empty-handed and unarmed during a meeting. Weapons were often concealed in the left sleeve so shaking was done with the left hand. As more people began to travel without weapons it became common to shake with the right hand. Certain historical figures took liberty with shaking hands and created their own custom. George Washington decided that shaking hands was for the common people so he bowed when greeting people in public.
The intent in shaking hands is to make contact "web-to-web" with the other person's hand. The web of your hand is that part between your thumb and forefinger. Extend your hand with your fingers together, in a vertical position, with the thumb up and slightly to the side. Once you make contact with the web of the other person's hand, close your thumb over the back of the hand and give a slight squeeze with your fingertips. Here's where so many people go wrong. Some move in for the kill and give a bone-crushing handshake that brings tears to the eyes of the other person. Then there are those who stop at the first hint of contact and never add the little squeeze that indicates there is life and energy in the body. The result is the "wimpy" or "limp" handshake, sometimes referred to as the "dead fish."
Every country in the world has its own customs for meeting and greeting. Most cultures encourage handshaking more often than the United States. As always, you need to do your research on meeting and greeting before you embark on an overseas trip. If you are a woman, this is critically important since certain cultures do not allow women to touch a man who is not related to them.
Here are some of the most common handshaking rituals around the world:
* In Japan it is normal to shake hands frequently. Sometimes a bow is included or substituted.
* In Europe you shake hands whenever you meet someone even if you know them well.
* Russians tend to shake hands frequently but never while wearing gloves.
* A strong handshake and good grip are appreciated in South Africa.
* A vigorous, pumping handshake is normal for the Chinese.
* Men in Arabian cultures encourage a long and limp handshake along with a specific verbal greeting.
* People in Panama greet each other with eye contact combined with shaking hands.
* The French always shake hands in business meetings but all other greetings involve kissing the cheeks.
* In Kuwait shaking hands is only used for male strangers who meet the first time. Shaking hands with an unrelated female is considered inappropriate.
* Residents of Indian and Pakistan shake hands by grasping your hand in both of their hands and holding your hand briefly.
It is considered impolite to refuse to shake hands but be prepared in case you meet someone who says "No" to handshakes because of arthritis, joint problems or a communicable illness such as a cold. The person who is unable to shake hands should always offer an apology and a brief explanation so that the other person does not feel shunned.
You may occasionally encounter someone who does not respond in any way to your outstretched hand. When that happens, simply withdraw your hand and ignore the snub. It's the other person's problem, not yours.
Knowing when and how to shake hands is an important business skill whether you are working in your own office or if you are traveling to a meeting 5,000 miles away. Always give the impression of someone who is polite and confident by cultivating a firm, but not crushing, grip and always offer your hand when appropriate.
(c) 2007, Lydia Ramsey, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprint rights granted so long as article and by-line are published intact and with all links made live.
Related Articles
Leaving on a Jet Plane? Business Etiquette to Go
By: Lydia Ramsey | 02/07/2007 | Business
Business etiquette tips from Lydia Ramsey for travelers who want to build relationships and positively impact the bottom line.
Why Employ Workers From Bulgaria and Romania?
By: Davinos Greeno | 19/12/2006 | Human Resources
Bulgaria and Romania are to become the next two members of the European Union (EU) on 1 January 2007. Lets start with a look at a few interesting facts about two of the poorest members of the EU most people know very little about.
Why Employ European Union Workers?
By: Davinos Greeno | 19/12/2006 | Human Resources
The European Union (EU) is curently made up of 25 independent, democratic, member states. If combined they would represent the worlds largest economy by GDP, the seventh largest territory in the world by area and the third largest by population.
Lydia Ramsey's Six Secret Sales Weapons
By: Lydia Ramsey | 27/05/2008 | Sales
Business etiquette expert, Lydia Ramsey, offers six secret sales weapons that wil open doors and build relationships that increase sales.
R.e.s.p.e.c.t. - your Client's Communications Preferences
By: Lydia Ramsey | 12/01/2007 | Customer Service
Are you dodging business success by ignoring your client's preferred method of communication? Make sure your clients and potential clients are receiving your business communications in a timely manner.
How to Meet 300 People in 30 Seconds
By: Cynthia Lett, CEP,CPP,CTP | 02/11/2007 | Ask an Expert
A new way to look at networking for both business and social reasons
5 Golden Online/Offline Business Rules To LIVE Or DIE By
By: Dan Preston | 26/02/2006 | ECommerce
Whether online or off, discover how the way you treat your customers can make or break your business.
How to Mingle Like a Pro
By: Kimberly Law | 29/01/2008 | Networking
Tradeshows and business mixers can be intimidating for anyone. However, they are also the perfect opportunity to network and build business relationships. To feel more at ease prepare ahead of time, with full stomach, the right attitude and the right tools.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does keeping score make it more exciting?
By: Shari | 04-07-2008
Do you prefer points (like Yahoo!Answers) or no points (like Yedda)?Do you think points (even pointless like Y!) make it more interesting or do you prefer the freedom of the no points system?
Meaning of the runic pentagram
By: curious george | 29-06-2008
What is the meaning of the symbols surrounding the runic pentagram. What is the purpose of the runic pentagram?
Can we bring spices and dry foods in our luggage ...
By: Terri | 28-06-2008
Can we bring spices and dry foods in our luggage to Belize? Do we have to declare those items as "foodstuff" to customs?
I'm sending airline tickets to my sister in Cyprus ...
By: euro | 27-06-2008
I'm sending airline tickets to my sister in Cyprus, does anyone know if she will have to pay customs tax or duty?
Where can I find information on dining etiquette ...
By: waterfront8 | 27-06-2008
Where can I find information on dining etiquette and customs for Jamaica?
Animated halloween movie specials
By: cooks21 | 25-06-2008
I remember every halloween this cartoon movie would come on and i don't know if it was a t.v special or something.But it's about a group of friends trying to help or save this boy(he had freckles)and there's this evil guy with a long nose bringing them into the night sky. and later on they go in this room with a bunch of evil pumpkin people and that's all i can remember.
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Business Articles
Undersell, Overdeliver
By: Charlie Karlheinz Lang | 08/07/2008
This article shows us how salespeople can undersell and overdeliver to get more success in sales.
Would You Like to Take the Pain Out of Giving Constructive Feedback? the Seven Steps
By: Julie Ellis | 08/07/2008
Pretty much all of us feel uncomfortable about giving feedback. If we don't know how to do it effectively, we can either avoid it or make a mess of the communication. This article gives the 7 steps in how to give constructive feedback in a way that works. It begins by asking us first to take responsibility for our own reactions so that they don't get in the way and then gives a step by step guide to achieving a positive outcome.
Are You a 'people-friendly' Manager?
By: Pat Brill | 08/07/2008
A "people friendly" environment reduces stress, decreases turnover, and supports higher levels of performance with employees. Organizations today are addressing the "people friendly" environment with additional programs that support work-life balance. And..that is great.
Locate Employment 101
By: Ed Opperman | 08/07/2008
Most people find services more convenient and easy. It takes away much of the arguments that come along with serving papers or repossessing property.
Connaught Opens Fund For Investors Tired of Products
By: Mark Smalls | 08/07/2008
Connaught Asset Management has launched a Guaranteed Low Risk Income fund, which company executives said is aimed at investors who have lost their appetite for investment products.
It promises to pay a guaranteed annual return of at least 8.15 per cent, by investing in low-risk, short-term bridging financing.
Investors who put in...
Capita Buys up Land For Future Planning
By: Nigel Walter | 08/07/2008
Funds seeking the UK sites most likely to obtain planning permission for buildings.
Capita is to launch two funds to snap up land that could be used to meet the government's target to develop 4.2m homes over the next 20 years.
Connaught Asset Management has been appointed by Capita as the specialist...
How to Expand an Office Cleaning/ Janitorial Business
By: Brent Wale | 08/07/2008
If you own and operate an office cleaning/ janitorial business, or looking to start one,Here's a way you can explode your income in your office cleaning/janitorial business without even getting any new accounts.
Feedback as a Competitive Sport
By: Jennifer Selby Long | 08/07/2008
A common roadblock to success is the use of feedback to win, to dominate the person seen as the opponent. Dealing with this can affect your happiness and your sanity. Organizations in which leaders and managers routinely share high-quality feedback are easier to scale and have fewer nagging problems and less operational drag.
Business 
