What Your Handshake Says About You | Mummy's Monday Manners — Holly Holden (2024)

Your handshake is a greeting that truly represents you! The strength of your grip is important. This shows that your handshake is not a hollow gesture, which a limp handshake can imply. In the United States, one or two pumps of your hand as you shake, straight up and down, not side to side, will suffice. Other countries have different codes of pumping thehands,or kissing a hand.

A handshake is a centuries-old tradition, given among "equals" in reference to rank, with historical reasoning. For example, in deference to rank, HRH Queen Elizabeth can keep her gloves on to shake hands, while you should remove yours. Or, when one is in military uniform, a Major would not offer to shake hands with a General.


A man should wait for a woman to extend her hand, unless there is a hierarchy, in business or otherwise, such as the CEO of your company or a titled person.


Forbidden Faux Pas

No-No:To shake with your left hand. Always shake with your right hand!
Exception: If there is a physical or medical reason why you cannot shake with your right hand.

No-No:For a man to meet and shake hands while sittingdown,when the other person is standing up. Men should rise from their chair to shake hands out of respect (unless you are in a wheelchair, or have medical issues prohibiting you from standing). Ladies may remain seated to shake hands with a gentleman who is standing. I always prefer to stand up if seated, out of respect to the person that I am meeting.

No-No:To offer your hand first to a person of higher rank or authority. They should make the first move to offer their hand to shake yours.

No-No:Not to take off your sunglasses when being introduced for the first time.
What is done:Remove your sunglasses so that the person being introduced to you can see your eyes and your face without your identity being hidden. After you have met, then you can go back to being a movie star with your sunglasses on!

No-No:Not to take your glove off first to shake someone's hand. If you are wearing gloves, take the glove off your right hand to give a handshake. Then, put your glove back on. At elegant events, such as weddings, ladies may keep their gloves on to shake hands. Ladies wearing long kid-leather opera gloves at a formal event do not need to take their glove off to shake either. But, ladies should take their glove off when shaking hands with the President, First Lady or a high ranking official.

No-No:To leave your left hand in your pocket while shaking with your right hand. Both hands should be visible.

No-No:To grasp the other person's arm with your left hand when shaking their right hand and meeting them for the first time. Once you know one another, thenbyall means, this is appropriate!

Millennial Tip

Share with your children how important good eye contact is when shaking hands! Often an overlooked or forgotten point, this aspect of a proper handshake needs practice and encouragement. A strong handshake, along with good eye contact, and topped off with a genuine smile, is bound to make a lasting, positive impression!

What Your Handshake Says About You | Mummy's Monday Manners — Holly Holden (2024)

FAQs

What Your Handshake Says About You | Mummy's Monday Manners — Holly Holden? ›

Your handshake is a greeting that truly represents you! The strength of your grip is important. This shows that your handshake is not a hollow gesture, which a limp handshake can imply. In the United States, one or two pumps of your hand as you shake, straight up and down, not side to side, will suffice.

What does your handshake say about you? ›

Those with a firm handshake were more extraverted and open to experience and less neurotic and shy than those with a less firm or limp handshake. The researchers say these results demonstrate that personality traits, assessed through the self-report, can predict specific behaviors assessed by trained observers.

What did the handshake symbolize? ›

The handshake may have originated in prehistory as a demonstration of peaceful intent, since it shows that the hand holds no weapon. Another possibility is that it originated as a symbolic gesture of mutual commitment to an oath or promise: two hands clasping each other represents the sealing of a bond.

What message is conveyed through a handshake? ›

Handshakes can be a valuable communication tool for making a first impression. These gestures are often exchanged within the context of business or social relationships. They signify a greeting, but they also help inspire feelings of trust and intimacy.

What is the answer to the handshake problem? ›

Explanation: If there are n people in a room, each person will shake hands with the (n - 1) remaining people as they will not be shaking hands with themselves – hence we get (n)(n - 1). However, we need to divide this number by 2 since one handshake allows two people to shake hands.

What is the 3 handshake rule? ›

Before data is exchanged, the TCP 3-way handshake confirms mutual agreement between two devices to communicate, establishes appropriate sequencing for data packets, and ensures a reliable connection. This procedure is crucial for ensuring the reliable transmission of data across networks.

What is the power of a handshake? ›

A good handshake accompanied by direct eye contact and a warm smile signals you are confident and trustworthy—the two most important traits for a business person to possess. To make a winning first impression, you need a powerful handshake. To stand out from the competition, you need a powerful handshake.

What are the four elements of a handshake? ›

The handshakes were rated on four dimensions: temperature, dryness, strength, and consistency of grip.

What kind of body language goes best with a handshake? ›

Shaking Hands - Body Language At Work
  1. When shaking hands, look directly into the other person's eyes.
  2. Smile.
  3. Stand when being introduced to someone and when extending your hand.
  4. Make sure your right hand is free to shake hands. ...
  5. Keep your body squared off to the other person – facing him or her fully.
Sep 28, 2011

What are three things a handshake should not be? ›

6 Handshake Rules You Shouldn't Break
  • Know when to shake hands. ...
  • Shake for no more than three “pumps” ...
  • Don't use a “dead fish” or “wet fish” handshake. ...
  • Don't use a “bone crusher” handshake. ...
  • Don't use the “l*ttle lady” handshake EVEN IF you're a man shaking hands with a woman. ...
  • Shake with one hand, not two.

What is the golden handshake? ›

golden handshake | Business English

a payment made to an employee when they leave their job as a reward for very long or good service: He is to leave with a golden handshake understood to total at least one year's salary.

Why do we have weak handshakes? ›

Hand grip strength could be used as a simple measure of heart health, according to UK researchers, who have found that a weak grip can be linked with changes in the heart's structure and function.

Is it good to have a strong handshake? ›

Why is a powerful handshake so important? Because in less than five seconds, a prospective employer, client or business associate can learn a lot about you – whether you're trustworthy, confident and competent, and whether you follow through.

What kind of body language goes best with the handshake? ›

Shaking Hands - Body Language At Work
  1. When shaking hands, look directly into the other person's eyes.
  2. Smile.
  3. Stand when being introduced to someone and when extending your hand.
  4. Make sure your right hand is free to shake hands. ...
  5. Keep your body squared off to the other person – facing him or her fully.
Sep 28, 2011

What is the golden handshake rule? ›

The term golden handshake refers to a clause in an executive's contract that provides them with a significant severance package if the employee loses their job due to firing, restructuring, negligence, or retirement. Golden handshakes are normally provided to top executives in the event that they lose employment.

What does it mean if a guy shakes your hand but doesn't let go and just holds it? ›

Originally Answered: What does it mean if a guy shakes your hand, but doesn't let go, and just holds it? Prolonged contact in this way may denote romantic interest, or at least a warm feeling, if the handshake is lessened slightly and the hand held gently.

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