Why do we shake hands when we meet people?

Answer 1

A handshake is a short ritual in which two people grasp their right or left hands, often accompanied by a brief shake of the grasped hands. It is commonly done upon meeting, departing, offering congratulations, or completing an agreement. Its purpose is to demonstrate good will, and possibly originated as a gesture showing that the hand holds no weapon. Men are more likely to shake hands than women, however in business situations it is considered the standard greeting for both sexes.

Answer 2

Great question.

Here's what wiki says

A handshake is a short ritual in which two people grasp their right or left hands, often accompanied by a brief shake of the grasped hands. It is commonly done upon meeting, departing, offering congratulations, or completing an agreement. Its purpose is to demonstrate good will, and possibly originated as a gesture showing that the hand holds no weapon. Men are more likely to shake hands than women, however in business situations it is considered the standard greeting for both sexes.

Surprisingly not a lot more info...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handshake

Answer 3

Great question. Like so many traditions, this one is very old. It began probably around the time of the caveman. He originally showed an open hand to indicate that his hand contained no weapon and the greeting he was giving to the recipient was friendly. Over time, the greeting changed to one containing touch where one stranger held the hand of the other to mutually show they came together in peace.

Answer 4

it's just one of the greeting way to show some respect to other ppl and u come in peace. not just when we meet ppl
but sometimes handshake is used after u have clash wit other ppl, to show that u r in "peace" wit them.
not just handshake, if Japanese ppl see or meet each other, instead of shaking hands they bow. the deeper u bow, the more respect u gave to the person u meet.
there are so many way to greet other ppl in the world, beside shake hands and bow..
but hand shake is the international way to greet..

Answer 5

It's a greeting, an expression that we have between one another, it's a way of saying hello. Like in China and Japan they bow to each other and in France and some European countries they kiss each other on the cheeks... it's just a physical form of expression saying hello.

Answer 6

In Europe we developed the right-handed hand shake because that was our sword-hand and it showed we offered no danger or threat.

Answer 7

we shake hands as a sign of frienship as in medievil times the right hand was offered to show that you were not going to draw your sword and it has carried on from there just i bit of trivia i heard years ago hope it helps

Answer 8

There is no other thing better than hands to shake (in public, formally).

Answer 9

Ancient greeting ritual passed down from ancient europe-to show goodwill friendliness and the such

Answer 10

i think thats our animal instinct, to be in contact. We touch to feel or express. Handshake is one of those