When is proper to shake hands with someone?

Question

In American culture, when is correct time to shake hands with somebody? Do you have to shake hands when you sell a used car to someone? Do you have to shake hands when you meet someone new? I need many examples such as these as I am not from this country and I want to learn the American culture. Thank you.

Answer 1

Yes, when you meet someone for the first time, you should shake hands, or when you sell something or buy something from someone....same thing. Its just a nice gesture.*

Answer 2

Knowing when to shake hands
When to shake hands? The answer is, all the time. When in doubt, offer your hand. Shaking hands is appropriate when


Renewing an acquaintance


Acknowledging someone who enters your office, cubicle, or home


Greeting a client, new coworker, host, or others you know or are meeting for the first time


Meeting someone you already know outside work or home


Concluding a transaction


Leaving a business or social event

In fact, because you should shake hands more often than not, the real question is: When don't you shake hands?


You should avoid shaking hands when the other person has his or her hands full, and putting everything down to shake your hand would be a big inconvenience.


Another exception may be when the person you want to greet is someone much higher ranked than you and to whom you really have nothing to say. In this case, rushing up to shake his hand and introduce yourself would appear pushy.

Answer 3

Our culture has changed in the past 40 years. It use to be common for men to shake hands when they meet and in business. This does not happen very much any more. Just do what the other person does. It they offer their hand then go ahead and shake it, but let them be first. It puts the other person in a awkward position when they do not do it normally and someone comes along and does. Also it depends on the social class and situation. It you were meeting the President of a major company or stock holders, etc. you would shake their hand. All of this applies to men. Woman have never really shook hands, but sometime a young woman will come up to me in a formal work setting an ofter to shake hands. I really hate that, but I will do it to be polite. Then I think to myself, how pushy of her, doesn't she know that women don't do that!

Also the fellow above me who said that you can get sick that way is right. That is how many diseases spread. I am left handed so if someone offers me their hand, since we use the right hand to shake I just consider that hands as contaminated and don't put it to my face.

Answer 4

People often shake hands when...

-First meeting someone.
-Finalizing an agreement, such as selling a car.
-Congratulating someone on an accomplishment.
-Heartily agreeing with something a person just said.
-Seeing someone you have not seen in a while.

Hand-shaking is sometimes considered a more masculine practice. While most women do shake hands, some women-especially older women- may not be as used to the practice.
Good luck!

Answer 5

You shake hands during or after a introduction. Always respond with a handshake--when the gesture has been made. Upon parting company with business associates.
Only with women--if/when they make the first gesture to shake hands. Upon the successful completion of a combinded effort. However, a High 5 or a Light Fist Tap(pound) has become social replacements of the traditional handshake--its about age groups too--generational. Older Americans shake--Young Americans improvise. Go with the flow.
Good Luck!

Answer 6

Okay shaking hands is like meeting americans in a proper way . As if you were at a fine dining area or polite to them . Here in america, most of the people are kind of well sort of crazy. But usually a wave to them which is a hand gesture works or a simple hello is good too.

I hope this helps! oh yeah examples:
If you are meeting up with someone in California , at a dining place don't wave, shake their hand because it is a regular thing to do in America if you are at a fine dining place.

When you meet up with the same person in a crowded area, to get their attention you say hello to them and wave.

Answer 7

A small bit of advice for you. Don't shake hands with anyone. I used to shake hands with everyone I met and I was sick with colds, the flu, and many other illnesses, then 5 years ago I stopped shaking hands and I haven't been sick since.

Answer 8

It is customary to shake hands when you meet someone. Shake a man's hand firmly, and a woman's gently as you can. Whenever business is transacted and both parties seem to be satified, a shake is also in order. Good luck!

Answer 9

in most of europe just kiss every one twice.

in america never shake the hand of a born-again republican.
they are sick and plagued with ignorance.

if you are male, in moslem countries, don't ever use you left hand to touch someone, as it is meant only to hold your penis.

in japan just bow courteously and touch no one in public.

apart from that, americans shake hands when they meet and when they leave. not to mention the "high five " thing which i never understood. don't worry. most people you will meet will be less intelligent / educated / or civilized as you. and most have a good nature, but be wary / careful of blacks and latinos.
they are the most uneducated and violent.

p.s. : i am curious to know where you are from. i left america several decades ago because of it's horrible foreign policy and now live in spain again.

have you read anything of tao yuan-ming ( tao chien ) , tu fu,
li po, mencius, ma yuan, wang wei, sosei, shiki, lin yutang, or bertrand russell ? and countless others ?

good luck, best wishes

if ever i can help

my name is daryl

[e-mail]

Answer 10

Definitely when meeting someone and leaving the meeting. And when making an agreement, such as your example of selling a car. That handshake says "it's a deal." or "I give you my word."