Do you know this rule of etiquette?

Question

Ex: Sandy Shores arrives at the office of Bill Fold for a business meeting. When they meet face to face, who should be the first to extend a hand for a handshake, and why?

I know the answer and had not realized I had technically been incorrect. Just wanted to see how many of the general population would even be aware of this rule! Thanks for your help!

Just FYI, I will post the correct answer later on, so those of you who wanted to know can check back!

Answer 1

Bill Fold should extend his hand first because he is greeting her in his office. It is a welcoming gesture.

Answer 2

Bill Fold should extend his hand and, Bill Fold should get up out of his chair to acknowledge the handshake with Sandy.


Note: Was Bill Fold in his ofice when Sandy came in, or did Sandy wait for Bill to come in? Then I would say in this situation Bill would extend his hand if he came into his office.

Answer 3

This is a very interesting question - The rule of etiquette is that the woman always initiates the contact. That way - the man is not putting her in an awkward position of being forced to take his hand if she is not comfortable doing so. However, that rule of etiquette may be a little out-dated, since when it was written most women did not function in the business world. SO, if you take that premise out of the picture - and say these are two people on equal footing in the business world - I would say that the person who called the meeting should be the one to initiate contact.

Answer 4

The hierarchy is: Women offer their hand first to men; older people offer to younger; people in a higher position offer to junior or weaker people, and in that order.

Therefore, Sandy Shores offers her hand, if she wishes.

If Bill Fold is much older, it's STILL Sandy's option to extend her hand, because being female outweighs being old (are you writing this down?).

These same rules apply to who is offered the first serving at dinner, who gets the choicest seat, and so on.

Answer 5

I would assume that if Bill Ford called the meeting he would be the one to introduce himself first. That's how it generally is with interviews. The interviewer shakes hands first with the interviewee.
The other way would be if Sandy actually called the meeting at Bill's office, she would introduce herself first. (Like when pharmaceutical sales reps go to s dr's office)

But I'm not sure if this is etiquettely (sp?) correct or not, just what I've observed in business behavior.

Answer 6

Bill Fold would extend his hand first, as it is his office, or his domain. The same as if it was a dinner party. The guests would not begin until the host or hostess started, by first picking up the napkin, then the utensils. One would not be seated until the host invited him to have a seat.

Answer 7

Very old fashioned people will say that Sandy must initiate the handshake. I believe the thinking is that handshaking is a "manly" thing to do. Very old fashioned and proper women do not shake hands. It is impolite for Bill to force Sandy to shake hands.

Answer 8

I would say sandy should extend hands first as shes in bills office as its bills territory I say sandy should introduce herself.

Answer 9

Bill should extend because Sandy is a guest in his office.

Answer 10

I would say the hospitable thing would be for Bill to offer his hand first - assuming he has invited Sandy and it isn't a cold call. If it's a cold call Sandy should offer her hand first.