Would/Do you judge someone by their handshake?

[knights68]

(Work is kinda slow today and the boss is away... so I get to play!)

I'll admit, I tend to judge people by the firmness of their handshake. If they have a firm grip, great! I will usually put them in the favorable column. If they have a crushing grip....they go in the 'controlling' column, since I kind of feel like they are immediately trying to establish dominance. If they have a weak, sort of wet noodle handshake, I definately question their strength of character, putting them in the flakey/trying to hide something column.

In Louis L'Amour books it was understood that a man's character could be felt from the handshake. I agree totally.

Anyone else out there do the same? Anyone like to differ?

[snowdenscold]

I just try to make sure they aren't hiding a concealed knife or other weapon up their sleeve. Call me an extreme traditionalist =)

[knights68]

funny

[YmoBeThere]

I draw an initial impression but don't put too much stock in it. I often get surprised when people shake hands and can't get a good grip sometimes, so I guess it might come across as kinda limp on occasion. The whole greeting people thing can be awkwards sometimes. When I worked in Brazil, depending upon which part of the country you were in, you either greeted with one or two cheek to cheek kisses. I was always confused and hated getting it wrong...

[Bluedawg]

(Work is kinda slow today and the boss is away... so I get to play!)

I'll admit, I tend to judge people by the firmness of their handshake. If they have a firm grip, great! I will usually put them in the favorable column. If they have a crushing grip....they go in the 'controlling' column, since I kind of feel like they are immediately trying to establish dominance. If they have a weak, sort of wet noodle handshake, I definately question their strength of character, putting them in the flakey/trying to hide something column.

In Louis L'Amour books it was understood that a man's character could be felt from the handshake. I agree totally.

Anyone else out there do the same? Anyone like to differ?

Asbolutely...there is nothing worse than a limp handshake.

[EarlJam]

Asbolutely...there is nothing worse than a limp handshake.

Murder is worse.

-EarlJam

[tombrady]

Asbolutely...there is nothing worse than a limp handshake.

Word. If you can't take pride in your handshake, what can you take pride in?

[YmoBeThere]

Word. If you can't take pride in your handshake, what can you take pride in?

Yeah, you are right, nothing...

[Clipsfan]

The thing is, handshakes these days are rare. I pretty much only use a formal handshake in business settings, not in more casual environments. So then you've got the issue of "did I use the appropriate variant" as well.

[tombrady]

The thing is, handshakes these days are rare. I pretty much only use a formal handshake in business settings, not in more casual environments. So then you've got the issue of "did I use the appropriate variant" as well.

Really? I still feel like handshake is pretty common among younger people (20-somethings) even in social situations -- i.e. arrive at a bar to meet some friends, etc. Sure it might be accompanied by a pat on the back or something, but its a handshake none the less.

[hurleyfor3]

More telling is how they greet me -- "how do you do" is far preferable to "nice to meet you".

[tombrady]

More telling is how they greet me -- "how do you do" is far preferable to "nice to meet you".

hmmm...you feel "nice to meet you" is just really played out and standard?

[BlueDevilBaby]

Got to go with the firm handshake. I played in a lot of tennis tournaments as a youngster and could not believe the wussy handshakes of my opponents, even though they were girls. Few things I can't stand more.

[hurleyfor3]

hmmm...you feel "nice to meet you" is just really played out and standard?

"Nice to meet you" isn't genuine. You don't know me; you have no idea whether you like me or not.

"How do you do" shows a interest in me and a level of comfort in your own surroundings -- you put the burden on me to prove to you my acquaintance is, in fact, nice for you. It is also a question, to which an answer is then expected and a conversation can perhaps start.

"Nice to meet you" is middle-class. "How do you do" is upper-class. This seems to come naturally: whenever I get to meet successful, well-accomplished people they always greet me with "how to you do".

[Clipsfan]

Really? I still feel like handshake is pretty common among younger people (20-somethings) even in social situations -- i.e. arrive at a bar to meet some friends, etc. Sure it might be accompanied by a pat on the back or something, but its a handshake none the less.

Full-on handshakes are considered fairly yuppy I think. I have a few friends that I greet that way, but I consider those friends a little more staid. Most people use other forms these days.

[tombrady]

Full-on handshakes are considered fairly yuppy I think. I have a few friends that I greet that way, but I consider those friends a little more staid. Most people use other forms these days.

like what

[Clipsfan]

like what

Anything from dap to pound, partial clenches, whatever. Most of these have been around a long time.

[DevilAlumna]

like what

I hug. Typically with my head aiming over the right shoulder of the recipient. But that's only for people I already know.

To Hurley, so is it too low-class for a woman to offer a firm (guy-type) handshake as opposed to offering her hand in a lady-like, kiss-my-ring type of gesture?

[throatybeard]

I try not to make extreme social judgments about people I just met based on next to no data.

[Bluedawg]

Murder is worse.

-EarlJam

OK...almost nothing...depending on who the victim is.