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Shaking Hands the Right Way
Have you ever shaken someone's hand and in the same instant, felt every bone in your fingers and palm shatter? Or, even worse, felt like you were shaking the fin on a dead fish? Handshakes are a sign of trust and help build strong relationships. Prospective employers say they're more likely to overlook visible body piercings and tattoos than an ineffective handshake. If you shake hands with people upon meeting, they're twice as likely to remember you than if you didn't shake their hand.
Help! Was That a Career-Limiting Move? by Pamela J. Holland and Marjorie Brody suggests 10 terrible grips to avoid. The macho cowboy is the almost bone-crunching clasp many businessmen use to shake hands. Avoid demonstrating your physical strength when shaking another person's hand. The wimp is usually delivered by men who are afraid to "hurt the little lady" when shaking women's hands. Men convey the same respect they'd show their male colleagues. The dead fish conveys no power. A firm but not macho clasp is conveys appropriate power. The four finger is when the person's hand never meets your palm, and instead clasps all four fingers, crushing them together. The cold and clammy feels like you're shaking hands with a snake. Warm up your hand first before grabbing someone else's. The sweaty palm is pretty self-explanatory, and pretty gross. Talcum powder to the rescue. The 'I've got you covered' grip happens when the other person covers your hand with his or her left hand as if your shake is secretive. The 'I won't let go' seems to go on for eternity because the other person won't drop his or her hand. After two or three pumps, it's time to let go. The southpaw when the person uses the left hand to shake because the right hand has food or a drink. Carry your drink and plate with your left hand. The ringed torture occurs when the person's rings hurt your hand. Limit the number of rings you wear on the right hand to one or two, and be mindful of any that have large stones.
As you're approaching someone, extend your right arm when you're about three feet away. Slightly angle your arm across your chest, with your thumb pointing up. Lock hands, thumb joint to thumb joint. Then, firmly clasp the other person's hand-without any bone-crushing or macho posturing. Pump the other person's hand two to three times and let go.
(Adapted from CNN.com 8/1/07)
