THE HANDSHAKE Adrienne Mason Edmond ITB 1 A

THE HANDSHAKE Adrienne Mason Edmond ITB, 1 A 8 November, 2015

History of the Handshake v. The handshake dates back to 5 th Century B. C. in Greece. v. It began as a symbol of peace, showing that neither person was carrying a weapon. v. Some say that the shaking gesture in the handshake began in Medieval Europe.

What TO do v. Have a firm handshake, it signifies confidence, v. Make eye contact. v. Smile. A handshake is a friendly gesture and should be treated as such. v. Have a short, 2 -3 seconds, handshake.

What NOT to do - Bad handshakes leave bad first impressions. So, make sure NOT to: - Placing your palm downward when offering a handshake. - Squeezing your recipients hand too hard. - Having a limp handshake. A limp handshake tells people that your are nervous or uncertain. - Have a handshake that lasts longer than 2 -3 seconds. - Step too closely to the recipient.

Other Cultures BRAZIL CHINA v In Brazil, expect a firm handshake that lasts longer than usual. v Women are greeted with a kiss on the cheek. v Repeat before leaving. v v Greet the oldest person first. Bow slightly. Avoid direct eye contact. Hold lightly onto the recipient’s hand after the handshake has ended.

People with Disabilities v When addressing a visually impaired person, get their attention with your voice and allow them to extend their hand first. v When addressing someone with no function right hand, use your left instead. v When greeting someone who is unable to shake hands, you can greet them professionally in other ways.

When to Shake Hands v. If any person reaches out a hand to shake, shake it. v. When greeting someone, especially a professional, shake their hand. v. When meeting someone for the first time, shake their hand. v. During job interviews, shake their hands when you arrive and before you leave

What do you do if… v Someone offers you their left hand, follow their lead and be polite, they may have a prosthetic or religious reasons for beingunable to shake with their right hand. v If your hands are sweaty, this tells people that you are nervous and uncertain. To prevent this, keep a towellette in your pocket. v If someone doesn’t shake your hand when you offer, they likely have a valid reason for not doing so and will most likely tell you. Just politely put your hand down, there are other professional ways to greet people. v If your hands are full when greeting someone, set your things down and shake their hand. - OR politely explain why it is you cannot shake their hand.

Introduce Yourself v Shaking someone’s hand has long been a way to introduce yourself. v When going to a job interview, shake hands upon your arrival and before you leave. v The type of hand shake you give conveys the type of person you are. v So make sure that you give a firm and friendly handshake.

Technique v. Make sure to have a firm grip to convey confidence. v. Never stand too close to the recipient. v. Do not shake for over six seconds. v. Do not squeeze too hard or try to convey dominance.

TYPES OF HANDSHAKES The Dead Fish Queen’s Fingertips The Dominator The Hand Hugger

The Dead Fish v Indicates a reserved personality. v Similar to a dead fish, this handshake has no strength behind it.

Queen’s Fingertips v. May signify the need for personal space. v. Hands do not meet, only fingers.

The Hand Hugger v Signifies warmth, and friendliness. v Traditionally, your left hand covers the person’s right.

The Dominator v Indicates domination or superiority. v Hand is at a higher position with palms facing the ground.

Examples v Notice the direct eye contact and their stance. v They are not too close or too far away. v Their smiles convey friendliness while their handshake conveys professionalism.

Works Cited WEB INFORMATION PICTURES - <http: //deepenglish. com/2014/07/handshake-historylistening-fluency-116/> <http: //www. worldatlas. com/webimage/flags/countrys/samerica /brazil. htm> - <http: //www. businessinsider. com/how-to-give-a-properhandshake-2014 -12> - <http: //www. enchantedlearning. com/asia/china/flag. shtml> - <http: //socialanxietydisorder. about. com/od/copingwithsa d/a/badhandshakes. htm> - <http: //blog. meraevents. com/2014/08/05/7 -typeshandshakes-mean/> - <http: //www. activityvillage. co. uk/kenya-flag-printables> - <http: //blog. myheritage. com/2010/08/history-of-thehandshake/handshake-29 -aug-4/> - <http: //blog. meraevents. com/2014/08/05/7 -types-handshakesmean/> - <http: //www. leadershipandcommunity. com/2009/10/13/hiringa-person-with-a-disability-a-win-community-builder/> - <http: //www. macleans. ca/society/life/dodge-the-hug-not-thehandshake/> - <http: //jlutgenslaw. com/blog/4 -criminal-defense/24 -how-tochoose-a-winning-criminal-defense-attorney>