• KEYS TO SUCCESS
  • The Power Of Concentration
  • Be Positive!
  • Handling Peer Pressure
  • The Pointing Finger
  • Say 'Boo!' to Stage Fright!
  • Making Friends
  • Tackling Bullies
  • Handling Problems
  • Beat those Blues!
  • Six Steps To Better Learning
  • Writing A Resume
  • Develop the Right Attitude
  • Developing Confidence
  • Goal in Life
  • Bridging The Gap
  • Come out of your shell
  • Changing Track
• SELF IMPROVEMENT
  • 5-Star Etiquette
  • Do it Now!
  • Be Your Word
  • Read Up!
  • Battling fear
  • Don't Worry, Be Happy
  • Organise Yourself
  • Give it Your Best!
• TO THE MANNER BORN
  • Fair Play
  • Love Thy Neighbour
  • Bathroom Etiquette
  • Guests and Hosts
  • Booked!
  • Telephone Etiquette
  • Good manners
  • When Guests Come
  • On Shaking Hands
  • Getting back to people
  • Please Excuse Me!
  • P’s & Q’s

To The Manner Born
On Shaking Hands

Shaking hands dates back to medieval times. When two men met they extended their open palms towards each other to show that they were not concealing weapons in their hands. The handshake has developed from this practice.
Although it is an acquired trait, the way you shake hands could indicate your natural temperament, or the way you feel at a point in time. Placing your own hand on top by turning the other person's palm upside down indicates extreme assertiveness. Holding back even as you start to extend your hand towards a person conveys feelings of suspicion, or an unwillingness to associate with the person. Gripping too hard and grinding people's knuckles is a sure sign of aggression. If you tend towards it, do not be surprised if you're soon deserted. But the worst turn-off is what behaviourists call the 'cold fish' grip. This refers to the cold, lifeless hand-shake which denotes a total lack of conviction or genuine feeling.
The correct way to shake hands is to extend your own palm and to exert a firm grip. It implies that you've accepted the other person on equal terms and have no hang-ups about the relationship.