By Hayleigh Gowans
Staff Writer
Across the globe, there are a wide variety of hand gestures for greetings different cultures use, but I’m going to focus on the most prominent form in the western world: the handshake.
While the origins of handshakes are unclear, many sources believe it may have been a way to show you were not hiding weapons in your hand as you approached someone, and the History Channel website says the up and down motion is thought to have been used to shake out any concealed knives or daggers that may have been hidden in the sleeve.
In Victorian society and into the 20th century, it was common for men to shake hands with each other upon introduction, but not for women to offer a handshake except to other women. A person who was an elder or higher up in society was the one who should be offering a handshake, and the rules were often based on class and social standing.
Today, an occasion for a handshake is less structured and is a salutation to be used by all genders. While it is not expected for a handshake to occur in all situations in modern society, they are typically used in professional situations upon meeting someone for the first time, or acknowledging their presence.
If trying to gauge whether a handshake in appropriate or not, try and go off of whether the other person offers their hand. It is considered rude to leave a person “hanging,” so try to be aware when meeting someone to glance at their hands.
Some tips for giving a good handshake:
•Reach out your right hand unless there is some reason you or the other person cannot, such as a cast on a hand.
•Grasp the other person’s hand so that the gap between your thumb and pointer fingers matches up with the other person’s.
•Look the other person in the eye and give a quick salutation, such as “Nice to meet you,” or “How are you?”
•Give a firm grip, but be sure to not make the other person uncomfortable or hurt their hand.
•The handshake should last two to five seconds, and hands should move in an up and down motion.
•If you are sitting down and another person is offering a handshake, try to stand up to bring you to the same eye level. If you are not able to stand, such as being confined in a booth, it’s ok to stay seated and quickly explain that you would have stood if space permitted.
More personal touches can be added to gestures as you get to know a person, and many people will hug, give a light kiss or fist bump a person who they are friendly with.
Sickness, especially during the cold and flu season, is a perfectly good excuse to not shake someone’s hand, but be sure to explain to the person who may have extended their hand that you are feeling unwell and want to stop the spread of germs.
Of course, different cultures have different gestures for greetings that may be different from a handshake, or cultural rules about who may offer their hand and who is to initiate the gesture. For example, in Japan people often greet each other with a slight bow, but most Japanese people will use handshakes when dealing with a person who is not Japanese. In Thailand, a person may offer a “wai,” where they place their palms together at chest level and bow, and you are supposed to return the gesture.
In France and Belgium, people who are familiar with each other may give a “faire la bise,” which is a greeting where a light kiss is placed on another person’s cheek.
If you are traveling to a foreign country, it would be a good idea to do a bit of online research to see what is acceptable so you don’t accidentally offend someone.
In all, if you are in a business environment, it is likely you will be expected to shake hands at some point. If you are being introduced to someone in a casual setting, a simple nod or smile will suffice unless the other person offers their hand. There really is no situation where a handshake is absolutely necessary, but be aware of your surroundings to ensure you don’t embarrass someone by ignoring their handshake attempt.
