Is it inappropriate for a woman to shake hands with a Muslim man when being introduced?

Answer 1

Yes, it is inappropriate to make physical contact with a person of the opposite sex who is not your spouse or family.

Some have made exceptions to this rule however. For example when doing business deals, handshakes are a sign of trust and in essence "seal the deal." For us westerners it is a common practice and an insult not to take the extended hand, it isn't known by them that this is an issue for some. Some have given the exception that if it is for business/in a professional manner, then it is okay to shake hands, though not fully recommended. I shake hands in these types of situations. However if the person I am doing business with is a Muslim, he knows better, therefore I will refuse his gesture based on that fact.

My sugestion is that if you know the man is Muslim, do not shake his hand, rather give a nod or something similar. It saves any embarassment or bother. If you've already done so, don't worry about it, you didn't know!

Audri has a good answer.

Answer 2

I am a Muslim (American) woman and I say just go for it. He will either shake your hand (reluctantly or not) or do something else like smile and nod his head or place his hand against his heart. Not shaking hands with a member of the opposite sex is not really an Islamic thing (in my opinion). It is more a part of the strict culture that some Muslims created. I've met a ton of Muslims and it's rare when I come across one that will not shake hands. There are men (young and old) who even give me the traditional Arab two or three cheek kisses. :)

As far as I know (in the West/US) the action of extending ones hand was as a sign of peace - to show that you were not armed with a weapon. Sounds nice to me! It's all culture. In the American society a hand shake is not seen as sexual or inappropriate. Therefore if a strict Muslim man lives in the US then he should be the one concerned, not you.

Answer 3

If you know it would be awkward for the man and do it anyways, that is being pretty ornery. If you extend your hand without knowing that the man can't respond in kind, then you both deal the awkwardness with grace and aplomb. If you extend your hand and the person's response is to bow (or give the head nod that is the American version of a bow), then you simply return the bow or nod. I hope that American moves away from handshaking and hugging and toward acknowledging others with a bow. I don't like being touched by strangers.

Answer 4

I don't think they like touching woman that is not there wife. But isn't inappropriate in our culture to not take a hand that is being extended in a shake? Guess it is a never ending cycle.

Answer 5

I think so. I once saw a Muslim girl refuse to shake hands with a male.

Answer 6

I would offer to shake hands, if you normally would - that is your custom. It is then up to him if he prefers to abide by your custom or not.

I am presuming, of course, that you are talking about a non-muslim woman, and that the interaction is in a non-muslim country.

Answer 7

no what is inappropriate is to not cut the muslims hands off

Answer 8

You cannot! How can you tell when a Muslim becomes a man? He takes the diaper off his azz and puts it on his head!

Answer 9

if he feels comfortable he will intiate the hand shake but he probably won't if he's an observant Muslim.

Answer 10

I do it even if it was inappropriate, especially if i'm in my own country - I'm not muslim - how am I supposed to know what's appropriate.