why do people shake hands when they meet?

Answer 1

It was the "waving" of hands that showed no weapons gang.

The shaking of hands was not necessarily introduced by, but a common signal of treaty used by marrauding northern european tribes around the 600 A.D. period and onwards. It would begin with separate tribal leaders sharing a "close quarter" encounter often with a wrist grasp to look deep into his opponents eyes to quite litterally "look into his mind", not always a positive thing I can assure you. Once a treaty had been reached between two, or more tribes, the warriors, upon meeting, would extend the same memory of treaty but to a lesser extent which later became the "Hand Shake".

Answer 2

There might be many reasons to answer this..One way is that, it has been developed as a mannerism while greeting a person,its almost involuntary action which we do without much of thinking.Not only that but if we clearly note something, while shaking hands we can estimate the mood and confidence level of the person we meet..I have good experiences in observing this fact while offering a shake hand.

Answer 3

It's also cultural because in Spain for example everyone kisses twice, once on each cheek, in greeting. In certain parts of France it's three little kisses. Men in Spain tend to do a kind of hearty hand clasp (sort of arm wrestling position) which turns into a kind of back slapping hug thing... but this is only amoung close friends. Male relations may kiss...
Handshakes have definitely taken on different meanings, and there's nothing worse than a limp handshake now is there?

Answer 4

It was to show you weren't holding any weapons. Originally people would always shake with their left hands as the left hand would be the one holding your shield. So by shaking hands with it you'd be left defenseless, showing your trust

Answer 5

Originally, they shook hands to prove that they were not carrying weapons. (Too bad if a right-handed person shakes with a lefty)

Nowadays it should be a signal of trust, but that is before politicians got to using the handshake in campaigns to ...................

Answer 6

I like tequila's suggestion. We could start a trend, or just get arrested.

Let's have a "National Dog Greeting Day" a chance to try it out.

Answer 7

Its a warmth from the heart. You cannot see my heart, but by shaking hands- with warmth and smiles- i am telling you, this is from my heart to you. Happy!

Answer 8

It dates from medieval England to prove to a fellow opponent that your intentions were peacable and that you were not in possession of a weapon.

Answer 9

Right to left?

Answer 10

It came from the tradition that you come in peace - to show you have no weapon in your hand.