should a man shake a womens hand on meeting?

Answer 1

Of course, why would a man greet a woman differently when a hand shake is a proper and respectful way to introduce yourself to someone?

Answer 2

I would say Yes, except in the case of meeting someone on your own (that is, without an introduction) like at a bar or club. As a woman I appreciate a guy reaching out to shake my hand. And most times (unless strict business meetings) I usually end up hugging him before I take my leave.

Answer 3

As a lot of people have already answered, this does depend very much on where in the world you find yourself and in what situation this occurs, and even then it can be a little bit of a mine field.

However, I think it's safe to say that in a business situation, and this would be safe for Europe and the US, Southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand you'd be best shaking the woman's hand, otherwise you run the risk of offending her and the years of work she and women like her have put in to gaining "equality" in the workplace.

In the same way that in a social setting in Europe you would probably be better off greeting her with on very first meeting a handshake, or if she moves towards you first, the customary number of kisses to each cheek for the geographical region....in Switzerland it's three in this area, four in parts of France, two in middle class London.

But there are always other things to take into account, like religion, and I draw your attention to a woman who recently graduated in the metropolitan police force in London who requested not to shake the hand of the head of the met on passing out parade day,for religious reasons.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6284231.stm

I suggest that if you really are lost as to what you should do ask her....we don't bite.

Answer 4

i've read some of the repsonse above and some have it half right and others have the ther half right.

a man shakes a woman's hand only after she has extended it. she must give the overture so to speak.

for the grip: a firm, not breaking handshake to show your sincerity. a limp wristed or a shake of her fingertips will leave a cold impression. and you cannot repeat a first impression.

be sure to look into her eys and repeat her name at least twice.

why don't they teach this in school anymore?

Answer 5

If you would shake hands with a man in the same situation then yes.

Answer 6

yes man should shake hand with women on meeting it is good

Answer 7

Well, in some countries, a man should not shake a woman's hand unless she extends her hand first, but in the states, where I'm from, there's nothing wrong with it.

Answer 8

It depends on country my friend...

If u are meeting a womam in US or European Countries - u can shake hands thats their culture and there is nothin wrong...

But if u go to india - indian women dont like shaking hands with unknown men , so they just hold their two hands together and they slightly bend their neck. u can do the saem there...

But if u go to korea, japan,china,..that area women they dont anythin like above said...

they just bend half to their hip and they get up and u do the same....

I did the same wen i went to the respective countries...So u to follow the same my friend...

Answer 9

A gentleman takes a woman's hand gently but does not shake it. Grasp at her fingers, not her palm. (Like you might kiss the back of her hand) That is the proper way for a man to "shake" a woman's hand. Don't shake, take and lift slightly.

Answer 10

In India that would be considered getting fresh.
At a wedding my friend introduced his sister. I did not know how to greet her. So I said namaste and shook her hand. He then introduced me to another lady (aunt). She'd seen me shake hands. So she (I thought) pointedly said namaste in the Indian way (hands together).
I felt that though it was not intentional, I realised women do not like to shake hands with strange guys.
Then there are girls who wish they could shake hands with people like men do.