Handshake Like Never Before

Drinking a cup of coffee at a local bookstore, I introduced myself to an unfamiliar person, and received a handshake that I will never forget. It was the most confident that I have ever received and I made an effort to respond in kind. I could sense that he had much to say, so striking up a conversation didn’t take much effort.

Handshakes have been around since the birth of civilization. In fact, they were originally used to prove you had no weapons in your hand when meeting someone new. Nowadays, handshakes are used in meetings and greetings, to offering congratulations, at the closing of business deals, or even at the onset of a conversation. Try it when you meet someone new, as they are a sign of trust and help build strong relationships.

Shake from your elbow, do not use a forceful grip, and make sure that your hand isn’t sweaty. Imagine meeting someone for the first time, and when you shake his/her hand, you feel like you’re shaking a dead fish or every bone in your fingers and palm shatter?

Before extending your hand, introduce yourself. Extending your hand should be part of the introduction, not a replacement for speaking up; doing so without a few words spoken may make you appear nervous or aggressive. There are various customs surrounding handshakes, both generically and specific to certain cultures. If your traveling to an unfamiliar place, consider learning about their greeting customs before you go.

Whatever you do, respond in kind when someone initiates a handshake. And no matter the quality, consider striking up a conversation thereafter.