Want a female perspective? Too bad...you're gonna get it anyhow
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Now I am talking about shaking people's hands, nothing else here...so don't take this thread down to the gutter on my behalf please
I reckon you can tell a lot about a person by their handshake. First impressions for me are very rarely wrong.
I was raised to formally greet someone by shaking their hand, looking them in the eye and offering a proper verbal greeting i.e "I am pleased to meet you Mr. or Mrs....".
My Dad taught me too how to shake a person's hand firmly and with confidence - "like you mean it". Doesn't mean I need to portray myself as some kinda butch gal who wants to break the fingers of everyone I meet...(not me, the butch bit - probably been some people I've met whose fingers could have deserved a little damage though
).
I find it strange however that many men I meet have a weaker handshake than me...limp, loose, kinda clammy....UGH! Makes me want to go wash too....
Most women I meet are pleasantly surprised when I extend my hand to shake theirs as part of my greeting. It's just my old fashioned good manners and most of the women I come across are happy to shake my hand in return.
Tom (eldest son) is now 16. He has a firm handshake, does not need to be prompted to greet people correctly, looks them in the eye as he shakes their hand and says his first greetings. Thank goodness something we've taught him has stuck!
It's an art that needs to be taught and learnt. We're getting there with the other kids too, they are both pretty good with their handshakes and greetings when required. At ages 9 & 11 they have a little way to go yet...
Cheers,
Lisa