I wonder if it is for formal occasions only. Sometimes one is not sure, and it has happened not just to myself, but I have seen it happen to other people, as one person may decide to position their hand towards a handshake, whereas the other person may have it in mind just to say hello, and the other person is left fumbling with his hand. Same applies to kissing customs across the world, one doesnt seem to be sure as to what to do properly whether to forward one's cheek or the other person should be putting their cheek forward. Any ideas.
2006-09-06 00:13:06 · 15 answers · asked by moti254 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
when in doubt, offer the hand
2006-09-06 00:14:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yours is a practical question. I shake hands when it is formal and I am expected to shake hands. I usually observe the body language of the person and if there is inclination to shake hands I would, or I just avoid it. Some people dont like shaking of hand. When we shake hands there is flow of energy too, sometimes positive and sometimes negative. And from the firmness and the way one shakes a hand you can have a fairly good idea of the personality of the person you are dealing with.
2006-09-06 08:17:03 · answer #2 · answered by goodcitizenz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a man can offer his hand to another man for a handshake at any time, but if it is a women, then the man should wait for the women to offer her hand first, that is the correct ettiquete. Also when shaking hands it should be an equal handshake where both hands are side by side. One hand on top the other is the dominator, the hand on bottom is the submissive one, so always side by side and equal. Always make it a good firm handshake, but not to firm, and not have your hand go limp or sloppy.
2006-09-06 07:21:17 · answer #3 · answered by having_a_blonde_day_lol 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eye contact, posture and the cultural setting should tell you....(The value of a handshake varies greatly from culture to culture).
But in a formal setting, shaking hands at the very first meeting is quiet ok. Some conservative muslim countries do not find it appropriate for men and women to shake hands.
2006-09-06 07:17:30 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Luck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shaking hands is quite general, and offering it will always be interpreted as being polite (with the exception of the Far East). So I would go ahead with that whenever meeting someone, unless you have both hands busy with stuff (e.g, your laptop and a pile of papers while being introduced to a co-worker).
For kissing, one has to develop a 5th sense, and look at what others are doing...
2006-09-06 07:18:04 · answer #5 · answered by OneLilithHidesAnother 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shake hands upon introductions as a greeting and a gesture
of friendship.
2006-09-06 09:44:35 · answer #6 · answered by caroline j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You only shake hands if you want to and the other person offers their hand first!
2006-09-07 14:22:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a personal choice. I try to avoid shaking hands because it's a custom I don't appreciate.
I think a simple "hello" is perfectly adequate.
2006-09-06 08:35:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shake hands whenever you're introduced. It's not a big deal, so don't worry too much about it.
2006-09-06 11:50:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always try to shake someones hand. It is a sign of maturity and strength to me.
2006-09-06 07:16:05 · answer #10 · answered by kirby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shaking anybodys hand is not a good idea. It transferes more bacteria than you can imagine.
2006-09-06 08:34:30 · answer #11 · answered by dancinintherain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋