Can you really judge a man's character by his handshake?

Factual Questions
1

This one was drummed into me before I was four… that I should always make sure my palm was dry; and that I should apply even pressure to my grip, but not too tight; and that I should always look a man in his eye when greeting him.

Anyone whose handshake was regularly wet, weak, clammy, too effusive or too tight, or who avoided eye contact, was not to be trusted. Men who bite their nails should be watched. No guidelines for shaking hands with women existed, that I am aware of.

How accurate a measure of character is this? I assume this is primarily a Western business custom.

2

Bushwah.

A person makes a better impression with a firm dry handshake–which is why confidence artists make a point of knowing how to do that.

Moist palms? Lots of perfectly fine people are nervous meeting strangers.

Limp grip? Can you spell arthritis?

Won’t meet your eyes? Get the dandruff off your shoulders.
My Father-in-law, a truly wonderful and absolutely upright human being, has a really horrible handshake. Of course, he has been shoeing horses for 51 years and his hands aren’t too supple.

3

It always makes me a little nervous shaking the hand of a man who has just emerged from the men’s room…who knows what was in his hand last? Did he wash those hands before emerging?

4

No.

You hear about how a strong firm handshake is good, but this is a conscious act. Many idiots without brains I’ve met give a strong handshake because they think other people judge them by that. But only idiots do.

So I guess I should qualify my answer. Yes, you can judge a man’s character by his handshake if you’re an idiot. It’s far better to judge them after the first handshake.

5

And, of course, there are also the Freemasons.:slight_smile: And no doubt other groups with their own in-club funny handshakes.

6

Sure you can, Askia K. Hale, but you left out a very important part, as most people do, & that is always stand up when you shake hands.

7

I was taught that a man should shake a woman’s hand (gently) if she offered it to you upon introduction, but not to initiate. Of course, standing up is a given.

8

Good question.

There certainly are times when you can judge someone by their handshake.

For example, teenagers who spit in their plams before shaking hands at a soccer game. Or crazed maniacs wielding pointy butcher’s knives towards you.

It is rude to squeeze someone’s hand as hard as you can. And if you are willing to judge someone on their moist palms, how should we judge you?

9

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by divemaster *
**

Hmm. I like this. How very gentlemanly of you.

10

I once read somewhere (don’t ask… don’t know!) that in business, when meeting your opponent for the first time, you should extend your index finger and lightly tickle his/her wrist with it… supposed to throw them off enough to get the upper-hand (hehe!!) in a tough negotiation…

I always wanted to try this…