How long and how firm should you shake a persons hand. Does it differ if it is a woman?

Answer 1

I would say 2-3 seconds is long enough.*

Answer 2

I was taught about three up and down shakes, steady pressure, but not tight. Some people opt to hold on to the other person's hand a bit longer, no further shaking, or put their other hand around the other person's. This is often done at church functions, funerals, or anytime someone wants to chat, and wants to be sure they have the other person's attention. It is a way of saying "I'm compassionate with your situation."
Women are the same, no difference, especially in the workplace. In a social situation, a woman may opt for the kissy/huggy thing.
I am careful, being a health-care worker, I am aware of the pain a firm handshake can cause a person with arthritis, and I have had my rings get squeezed to the point of pain by someone overly zealous to show me they have a firm handshake.
I'm with fraz, I wish we could dispense with the handshake altogether, in the name of sanitation, and spreading diseases. Going back to bowing is not a bad idea.

Answer 3

I wish men would re-examine what they consider 'firm' in a handshake. I've had many otherwise elegant-looking businessmen squeeze my small hand in an attempt to have a 'firm and impressive' handshake. Which any doofus can fake, by the way, so I don't know why that's still held as a standard of getting to know someone.

A very small, natural amount of pressure is fine. You just don't want to be all limp and floppy like you don't want to touch the person.

Anyone who gives me an obviously studied 'firm' handshake I peg as a phoney right off. A handshake should be so natural you don't notice anything about it. True confidence is unstudied and comes naturally.

Answer 4

Man to man, a short but firm hand shake makes an impression. With the ladies, a short but delicate hand shake is best.

Answer 5

It would be better if people did not shake hands at all. It is now well understood that infections such as colds are spread not so much by sneezing, as used to be thought, but by physical contact. Therefore, shaking hands is unsanitary. There are much better ways to greet another person. Here are two:
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In Hindu culture, you great another person with the *namaste* gesture. As well as being sanitary, it is elegant.
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In Western cultuires, we used to greet people with a bow, not a handshake. If you met George Washington he would not shake your hand; he would bow. The nice custom of bowing has unforunately been largely lost, except in Japan.
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Answer 6

For a man you should shake it hard and firm enough to get his attention. My husband says that a man's hand shake always tells who he is. For a lady you should always kiss her hand and be very gentle. Unless you don't like her and want nothing to do with her that is.

Answer 7

Confidence should be reflected in your hand shaking. So the hand should be firm, but not Tight. Even with the women, but slightly smooth.

Answer 8

a firm handshake is the best. like looking a person in the eyes when u or them are talking shows confidence.

Answer 9

For a man, two up-and-downs, firm but not squeezing. For a woman, same but softer.

Answer 10

Squeeze as hard as you can for ten minutes. Anything longer is considered socially unacceptable. Women should not shake hands, they should bow seven times for a total of six minutes. If you had any social graces, you would not have to ask.